The Jazz repels the Spurs 111-110 despite 24 points, 16 rebounds and 7 blocks from Wembanyama
Collin Sexton scored 23 points, Lauri Markkanen added 20 and the Utah Jazz held off the San Antonio Spurs 111-110, overcoming 24 points, 16 rebounds and seven blocks from Victor Wembanyama.
SAN ANTONIO — Collin Sexton scored 23 points, Lauri Markkanen added 20 and the Utah Jazz held off the San Antonio Spurs 111-110 on Saturday, overcoming Victor Wembanyama’s 24 points, 16 rebounds and seven blocks.
Markkanen stayed in the match after landing directly on his left hip with 2:44 remaining. He remained on the ground for a few minutes before being helped to his feet. The 7-footer limped noticeably in the final minutes.
Jordan Clarkson had 16 points and John Collins scored 15 for Utah (2-7).
San Antonio rookie Stephon Castle scored a career-high 23 points in his third NBA start. Wembanyama shot 6 of 9 from 3-point range and Castle, also 20, shot 3 of 7.
Spurs guard Devin Vassell had 18 points in his season debut after missing seven months with a broken right foot.
Jazz: Utah had just seven turnovers after committing 10 in the first half.
Spurs: After missing his first two shot attempts, Vassell was 8 of 11 in his first game since March 29. He finished 3 of 6 on 3-pointers. San Antonio (4-6) hasn’t had a consistent second scoring option behind Wembanyama since Vassell went down with a foot injury.
With the Spurs trailing 107-104 and nine seconds remaining, Wembanyama drove through Clarkson on a pick-and-roll attempt to eventually set up a 3-pointer for the 7-foot-3 center. Officials confirmed the foul after San Antonio’s challenge, which allowed Clarkson to drain two free throws for a 109-104 lead.
Utah had a 54-34 advantage in the paint.
The Jazz host Phoenix on Tuesday and the Spurs host Sacramento on Monday.
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