Spurs Ride Without Wembanyama to a 123-110 Victory Over Kings
17 November 2025
Spurs win without Wembanyama
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings 123-110, despite missing their towering French rookie Victor Wembanyama and an injury to Stephon Cassell, on Sunday in the NBA.
Wembanyama, 21, sat out the Spurs' first game of the season due to a left calf strain.
The 2.24-meter rookie was averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4 assists and 3.6 blocks per game this season.
The Spurs also took a hit when Cassell had to sit in the second half with a left thigh injury after 16 minutes, scoring 4 points and dishing 5 assists.
De'Aaron Fox starred for the hosts with 28 points, his season high, adding 11 assists, while Harrison Barnes had 20 points, Devin Vassell 16 points, 7 assists, and Luke Kornet 13 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Fox proves his worth
Kornet and the Spurs' collective discipline helped steady the ship as the team managed the game without their star. “We did a great job staying in our approach, and Fox showed why he’s the trusted engine of this group,” said Kornet.
Vassell added, “We handled the situation well. We wanted to push from the start and seize control. We responded well to the two injuries.”
“We still have a talented roster. When one player goes down, it’s not only the next man up, the whole team steps up… We’re capable of weathering moments like this,” he added.
The Spurs raised their record to 9-4, occupying fifth place in the Western Conference, while Sacramento dropped to 3-11 in a rough stretch, sitting 14th in the West after their sixth straight defeat.
Meanwhile in Boston, Jaylen Brown poured in 33 points with 13 rebounds, and Payton Pritchard added 30 as the Celtics rallied to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 121-118.
James Harden, the night’s top scorer with 37 points, failed to convert a late three as time expired, denying the Clippers a chance at victory.
Kevin Durant’s 35 points and Alperen Şengün’s 30 helped the Houston Rockets defeat the Orlando Magic 117-113 in regulation that stretched into overtime.
Şengün blocked a shot, but Durant’s late efforts and a crucial turnover by his side helped Houston seal the win in extras.
In Utah, Finnish forward Lauri Markkanen scored 47 points in a high-scoring affair that saw the Jazz topple the Chicago Bulls 150-147 after overtime, with Keontae George delivering the game-winning three with 2 seconds left in the extra period.
In Dallas, 18-year-old Cooper Flagg showcased why he was a top pick, scoring 21 and guiding the Mavericks to a 138-133 overtime victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Fellow rookie Payton Washington had 21 and Daniel Gafford added 20 for the Mavericks.
Atlanta edged Phoenix 124-122 behind Onyeka Okongwu’s 27 and Nikkel Alexander-Walker’s 26, while Jae’Lynn Johnson contributed 25 and 10 rebounds for the Hawks.
In New Orleans, Moses Moody led Golden State with 32 points as the Warriors rolled past the Pelicans 124-106.
In Washington, the Nets halted a four-game slide with a 129-106 win over the Wizards, powered by Michael Porter Jr. with 34 points.
The night’s results left Brooklyn 13th in the Eastern Conference, while Washington remained near the bottom with a single win and multiple losses.
