By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-10-27 00:10:07
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1 号）在下半场对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中投篮得分后，弯曲手臂展示肌肉。马刺队在他们的第一个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
周六，在第四节比赛中，休斯顿火箭队的杰伦·格林(Jalen Green)又一次突破上篮得分，马刺队一度领先的优势被缩小到只剩一球，克里斯·保罗(Chris Paul)看在眼里，急在心里。
格林的投篮甚至还没完全穿网而过，保罗就已经从马刺队的板凳席上起身，走到一半去往记录台的路上了。
这就是保罗来到这里的原因，帮助年轻的马刺队找到方法，赢得这些他们以前无法赢得的紧张比赛。 这位 39 岁的控球大师表示，即使马刺队以 109-106 赢得了他们的主场揭幕战，他也不会给自己在这方面的表现打满分。
“我可以做得更好，”保罗说。
尽管如此，对于那些以通过或失败作为评判标准的人来说，在保罗的掌舵下，马刺队通过了他们的第一场第四节考验。
维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)得到全场最高的 29 分，杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)拿下 17 分和 12 个篮板的两双数据，凯尔登·约翰逊(Keldon Johnson)替补出场得到 16 分，帮助马刺队在座无虚席的弗罗斯特银行中心取得了本赛季的首场胜利。
“我们都还在互相学习，摸索之中，”保罗说。“我们刚刚在更衣室里谈过这个：我们想在学习的同时赢得比赛。”
就这一点而言，周六对马刺队来说是两全其美的，他们在达拉斯的赛季揭幕战中以 17 分的劣势吸取了惨痛的教训。
“赢得一场 NBA 比赛一直以来都是很困难的，”马刺队主教练格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich)说。“这是一场场战斗，所以任何一场胜利都是伟大的胜利。”
有一段时间，这场比赛对马刺队来说似乎并不需要太多关键时刻的努力。
凭借着在第二节将火箭队得分限制在 10 分的出色防守，马刺队带着 18 分的领先优势进入中场休息。
但休斯顿队一点一点地将比分追了回来。
格林以 29 分的得分强势带领火箭队反击，而弗雷德·范弗利特(Fred VanVleet)贡献了 18 分，狄龙·布鲁克斯(Dillon Brooks)得到 16 分。
当格林在比赛还剩 4 分 08 秒时再次上篮得分，将休斯顿队的比分追至 98-96 时，整个球馆似乎都屏住了呼吸。
保罗在几分钟后上场了。他很想说从那以后的一切都像教科书一样完美无缺，但事实并非如此。
马刺队有一些进攻回合没有得分。他们在最后时刻让火箭队轻松上篮得分。保罗投失了一记近距离跳投。文班亚马在遭遇包夹时出现失误。
但马刺队还是做了足够多的事情来赢得这场他们一年前可能无法赢下的比赛。当格林在终场哨响时投出的扳平比分的 3 分球弹筐而出时，他们终于有理由庆祝了。
以下是周六这场鼓舞士气的胜利的三大关键点，这场胜利使马刺队的战绩来到了 1 胜 1 负：
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1 号）在下半场对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中与休斯顿火箭队前锋狄龙·布鲁克斯(Dillon Brooks)（9 号）在地板上扭打后做出的反应。马刺队在他们的第一个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
- 文班的自信心依然不可动摇
就在不久前，文班亚马刚刚结束季前赛，他在季前赛中 3 分球 9 投 1 中。在赛季揭幕战输给达拉斯的比赛中，他 8 投 1 中。
换作是另一个 7 英尺 3 英寸（约 2.21 米）高的球员，可能会选择在第二场比赛中更靠近篮筐，慢慢地找到比赛感觉。
但文班亚马不会。也许是为了证明这一点，文班亚马在周六的第一次投篮尝试就来自近 30 英尺（约 9.14 米）远的地方。
我想维克托·文班亚马今晚很开心，但不确定……
pic.twitter.com/8fkYUOmtzl— Théo Quintard (@ TheoQuintard) 2024年10月27日
他一只脚还站在马刺队中场标志的边缘，就把球投进了。目标达成，文班亚马开始着手打出马刺队每个晚上都希望从他身上看到的那种比赛。
他 17 投 10 中，只投丢了 7 球，3 分线外 5 投 2 中。再加上 3 次盖帽，这就是文班亚马在他赢得年度最佳新秀赛季中所展现出的统治力。
- 篮板球不华丽，但能赢球
在达拉斯的比赛中被对手在篮板上碾压之后，马刺队在上午的大部分队内训练中都在讨论篮板球的问题。
“我认为篮板球将决定我们的成败，”中锋扎克·科林斯(Zach Collins)说。
这一点在周六的比赛中得到了回报，特别是在上半场。马刺队全场篮板球以 49-34 领先火箭队，并将对手的二次进攻得分限制在 15 分。火箭队在上半场只抢到一个进攻篮板，而上一场对阵独行侠的比赛中，他们让对手抢到了 17 个进攻篮板。
除了索汉在篮板上的两位数贡献外，马刺队替补出场的科林斯和凯尔登·约翰逊各抢下 8 个篮板。文班亚马贡献了 7 个篮板。
朱利安·尚帕尼(Julian Champagnie)赛后坐在采访席上，拿起旁边的一份技术统计单，首先查看了篮板球那一栏。
“就像教练说的，在这个联盟里赢球很难，”他说。“我们必须每天都全力以赴，做好每一件小事，而篮板球就是其中之一。”
篮板球和防守帮助马刺队在第二节控制了比赛，他们在那一节中有一段时间让火箭队 9 分 07 秒内一分未得。
马刺队在那段时间打出的 18-0 的攻击波给了他们赢得比赛的喘息之机。
- 马刺队已经对卡斯尔在关键时刻充满信心
马刺队在最后时刻的阵容中出现了四张熟悉的面孔和一张新面孔。
新秀斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)被委以重任，与保罗、文班亚马、索汉和约翰逊一起帮助球队锁定胜局。
这位 19 岁的球员出现在场上主要是为了防守，试图阻止状态越来越好的格林。卡斯尔也掌控了一些球权——即使保罗在场上的时候也是如此——并且在最后 17.5 秒内 4 罚 3 中，帮助球队锁定胜局。
斯蒂芬·卡斯尔谈到波波维奇在最后时刻对他的信任，以及马刺队战胜火箭队的比赛 pic.twitter.com/H2Z4nJDY3L
— 马刺国度 (@ Spurs_Nation) 2024年10月27日
当被问及这是否是对他这位 4 号秀的信任的体现时，波波维奇反问了一个问题。
“嗯，他当时就在场上，不是吗？”波波维奇说。“我之所以让他上场，不是因为我不信任他。”
卡斯尔对于被要求帮助球队拿下他在 NBA 生涯中的第一场胜利，既没有感到慌乱，也没有感到意外。
“我觉得能在最后时刻上场要归功于我的防守。我觉得那是最需要我的时候。所以我真的只是想专注于防守，然后在进攻端，执行波波维奇教练的任何战术。”
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10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战下半场，马刺球迷在篮筐后挥舞着雷声棒。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战开始前，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋杰里米·索汉为球迷签名。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1 号）在下半场对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中，越过休斯顿火箭队中锋阿尔佩伦·申京(Alperen Sengun)（28 号）投篮。马刺队在他们的第一个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)（10 号）在下半场对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中，越过休斯顿火箭队后卫杰伦·格林(Jalen Green)（4 号）投篮。马刺队在他们的第一个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1 号）在下半场对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中将球传给圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋朱利安·尚帕尼(Julian Champagnie)（30 号）（图中未显示），后者投出一记三分球。马刺队在他们的第一个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
在 10 月 26 日圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战下半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马抢到一个篮板，而休斯顿火箭队前锋狄龙·布鲁克斯继续抢球。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1 号）在下半场对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中与休斯顿火箭队前锋狄龙·布鲁克斯(Dillon Brooks)（9 号）在争夺球权时发生冲突，裁判和队友上前干预。马刺队在他们的第一个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 比赛下半场，休斯顿火箭队主教练伊梅·乌多卡(Ime Udoka)在场上与球员交谈。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫克里斯·保罗(Chris Paul)（3 号）在下半场对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中与圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)（10 号）交谈。马刺队在他们的第一个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)（10 号）在下半场对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中，从休斯顿火箭队后卫阿门·汤普森(Amen Thompson)（1 号）手中抢下篮板球。马刺队在他们的第一个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队替补席上的球员，包括从左前方开始的德文·瓦塞尔(Devin Vassell)、布雷克·韦斯利(Blake Wesley)和维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)，在下半场对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中，在前锋凯尔登·约翰逊(Keldon Johnson)（0 号）投篮得分并造成犯规后为他欢呼。马刺队在他们的第一个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队主教练格雷格·波波维奇和后卫克里斯·保罗与裁判肖恩·莱特(Sean Wright)讨论判罚。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，马刺队主教练格雷格·波波维奇在下半场对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中与圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)（5 号）交谈。马刺队在他们的第一个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1 号）在下半场对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中投篮。马刺队在他们的第一个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1 号）在下半场对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中投篮得分后，望向欢呼的人群。马刺队在他们的第一个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)（5 号）在下半场对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛中，越过休斯顿火箭队前锋小贾巴里·史密斯(Jabari Smith Jr.)（10 号）投篮。马刺队在他们的第一个主场比赛中以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
前马刺队控球后卫托尼·帕克(Tony Parker)在 10 月 26 日于德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心举行的马刺队本赛季第一个主场比赛中观看了马刺队对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战开始前，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫德文·瓦塞尔为球迷签名。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥市的弗罗斯特银行中心，在马刺队本赛季第一个主场比赛对阵休斯顿火箭队的比赛前，Hype Squad 在球场上挥舞着一面巨大的马刺队旗帜。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，前马刺队后卫托尼·帕克与妻子阿克塞尔·弗朗辛(Axelle Francine)以及儿子利亚姆（Liam，左）和乔希（Josh）一起抵达圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战现场。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战开始前，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫克里斯·保罗在首发阵容介绍仪式上亮相。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马在命中一记三分球后做出反应。文班亚马以 29 分的得分带领马刺队以 109-106 击败火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1 号）盖掉了休斯顿火箭队中锋阿尔佩伦·申京(Alperen Sengun)（28 号）的投篮。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)（10 号）试图从休斯顿火箭队后卫杰伦·格林手中抢断球。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)（5 号）试图突破休斯顿火箭队后卫弗雷德·范弗利特(Fred VanVleet)（5 号）的防守。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队庆祝前播音员比尔·兰德(Bill Land)（左三）的退休。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马隔着休斯顿火箭队前锋卡姆·惠特莫尔(Cam Whitmore)（7 号）扣篮得分。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队主教练格雷格·波波维奇与前锋维克托·文班亚马交谈。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)（1 号）在休斯顿火箭队后卫里德·谢泼德(Reed Sheppard)（15 号）的防守下接球。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)（5 号）在后卫马拉凯·布拉纳姆(Malaki Branham)（22 号）扣篮得分后与他庆祝。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马在休斯顿火箭队后卫阿门·汤普森(Amen Thompson)（1 号）面前防守。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
10 月 26 日，在圣安东尼奥马刺队与休斯顿火箭队的 NBA 主场揭幕战上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)（5 号）祝贺前锋哈里森·巴恩斯(Harrison Barnes)（40 号）投中三分球。马刺队以 109-106 击败了火箭队。
点击查看原文：3 Takeaways as Spurs win home opener behind Wembanyama
3 Takeaways as Spurs win home opener behind Wembanyama
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) flexes his arm after making a shot against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
Houston’s Jalen Green slithered for yet another layup in the fourth quarter Saturday, the Spurs’ once healthy lead down to a single basket, and Chris Paul had seen enough.
He was up off the Spurs’ bench and halfway to the scorer’s table before Green’s shot had even passed completely through the net.
This is why Paul was here, to help the young Spurs find a way to win these white-knuckle games they could not before. The 39-year-old point guard maestro wouldn’t give himself a perfect grade on that count, even after the Spurs held on to win their home opener 109-106.
“I could have been a lot better,” Paul said.
Still, for those scoring on a pass-fail basis the Spurs passed their first fourth-quarter test with Paul at the helm.
Victor Wembanyma scored 29 points, Jeremy Sochan added a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double and Keldon Johnson chipped in 16 points off the bench as the Spurs survived for their first victory of the season before a sold-out Frost Bank Center.
“We are all still learning each other, figuring it out,” Paul said. “We just talked about it here in the locker room: We want to learn and win at the same time.”
In that, Saturday was the best of both worlds for the Spurs, who were coming off a season-opener at Dallas in which the hard lessons came in a 17-point defeat.
“To win an NBA game is and always has been difficult,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “They are wars out there, so any win is a great win.”
For a while, the game did not seem like it would require much crunch-time work for the Spurs.
Fueled by a stellar early defensive effort that held the Rockets to 10 points in the second quarter, the Spurs took an 18-point lead into halftime.
Little by little, Houston clawed back.
Green powered the Rockets’ comeback with 29 points, while Fred VanVleet contributed 18 points and Dillon Brooks 16.
When Green scooted for a basket with 4:08 to go, drawing Houston within 98-96, the entire arena seemed to hold its breath at once.
Paul entered moments later. He would like to say everything was textbook flawless from there, but won’t.
The Spurs had some dry possessions. They let the Rockets get loose for layups down the stretch. Paul missed a short jumper. Wembanyama coughed up the ball when double-teamed.
But the Spurs did enough to win a game they might not have a year ago. And when Green’s game-tying 3-pointer at the horn clanged off the iron, they had reason to celebrate.
Here are three takeaways from Saturday’s confidence-boosting win, which improved the Spurs to 1-1:
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts after tussling on the floor with Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
1. Wemby’s confidence remains unshakeable
Not long ago, Wembanyama completed a preseason in which he went 1 of 9 from 3-point range. He made 1 of 8 in the season-opening loss to Dallas.
A different breed of 7-foot-3 man might to choose to ease his way into Game No. 2 a little closer to the basket.
Not Wembanyama. Perhaps to prove a point, Wembanyama’s first field-goal attempt Saturday came from darn near 30 feet.
I think Victor Wembanyama is happy tonight, but not sure…
pic.twitter.com/8fkYUOmtzl— Théo Quintard (@ TheoQuintard) October 27, 2024
With one foot still on the border of the Spurs’ midcourt logo, he swished it. Point made, Wembanyama went about putting together the kind of game the Spurs will take from him any night.
He missed only seven shots, going 10 of 17, and was 2-of-5 from the 3-point line. Throw in the three blocks, and this was the version of Wembanyama who dominated during his Rookie of the Year season.
2. Rebounding is not sexy, but it wins games
After getting pummeled on the boards in Dallas, the Spurs spent much of their morning walkthrough talking about rebounding.
“I think rebounding is what is going to make or break us,” center Zach Collins said.
That point of emphasis paid off for the Spurs on Saturday, especially in the first half. The Spurs out-rebounded the Rockets 49-34 in total, and limited them to 15 second chance points. Houston managed only one offensive rebound in the first half, a game after giving up 17 offensive boards to the Mavericks.
In addition to Sochan’s double-digit effort on the glass, the Spurs got eight boards apiece from Collins and Keldon Johnson off the bench. Wembanyama added seven.
Sitting at the postgame interview podium, Julian Champagnie grabbed a nearby box score and checked the rebounding column first.
“Like Coach says, it’s hard to win a game in this league,” he said. “We have to come out every day and do the little things, and that’s one of them.”
Rebounding and defense allowed the Spurs to grab control of the game in the second quarter, when they held the Rockets scoreless for a span of 9:07.
The 18-0 run the Spurs dropped during that stretch gave them the breathing room to win the game.
3. Spurs already have crunch-time faith in Castle
The Spurs’ closing lineup down the stretch contained four familiar faces and one new one.
Rookie Stephon Castle was entrusted to help bring the game home alongside Paul, Wembanyama, Sochan and Johnson.
The 19-year-old was out there mostly for defensive purposes, trying to cool off a rapidly catching-fire Green. Castle also handled the ball a bit – even with Paul on the floor – and made three of four free throws in the final 17.5 seconds to ice the victory.
Steph Castle on Pop’s confidence in him down the stretch and the Spurs pulling out that late win over the Rockets pic.twitter.com/H2Z4nJDY3L
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) October 27, 2024
Asked if this was a sign of his early confidence in the No. 4 overall pick, Popovich answered a question with a question.
“Well he was out there, right?” Popovich said. “I didn’t do that because I’m not confident in him.”
Castle was neither fazed nor surprised by being asked to help close out the first win of his NBA career.
“I feel like just being out there late game is credit to my defense. I feel like that’s when it’s needed most. So I was really just trying to lock in on that and then on the other end, just execute whatever Pop calls.”
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San Antonio Spurs fans wave thunder sticks behind the basket during the second half of their NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan signs autographs for fans prior to the start of their NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots over Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) shoots over Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) passes the ball out to San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30), not pictured, for a three-pointer against the Houston Rockets during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama holds on to a rebound as Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks continues to grab for the ball during the second half of the Spurs NBA home opener with the Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
Referees and teammates intervene as Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) and San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) tussle while fighting for the ball during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka talks to players on the court during the second half of their NBA game with the San Antonio Spurs at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) talks with San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) pulls down the rebound over Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson (1) during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
The San Antonio Spurs bench, including Devin Vassell, from front left, Blake Wesley, and Victor Wembanyama, cheer for forward Keldon Johnson (0) after he makes a shot and draws a foul against the Houston Rockets in the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich and guard Chris Paul discuss a call with referee Sean Wright during the first half of their NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talked with San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
After making a shot against the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) looks towards the cheering crowd during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) shoots over Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the second half at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106, in their first home game of the season.
Former Spurs point guard Tony Parker watches the Spurs take on the Houston Rockets in their first home game of the season at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell signs autographs for fans prior to the start of their NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
The Hype Squad waves a giant Spurs flag on the court before the Spurs’ first home game of the season against the Houston Rockets at Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs defeated the Rockets, 109-106.
Former Spurs guard Tony Parker arrives with his wife, Axelle Francine and sons Liam, left, and Josh for the Spurs NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul is introduced during starting lineups prior to the start of their NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama reacts after hitting a 3-pointer during the first half of their NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. Wembanyama led the Spurs with 29 points in beating the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) blocks a shot by Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the first half of their NBA home opener at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) tries to steal the ball from Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green during the first half of their NBA home opener at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) looks to drive past Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) during the first half of their NBA home opener at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
The San Antonio Spurs celebrated former announcer Bill Land’s (third from left) retirement during the first half of their NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama dunks a ball over Houston Rockets forward Cam Whitmore (7) during the first half of their NBA home opener at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich talks with forward Victor Wembanyama during the first half of their NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) catches a pass while being defended by Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) during the first half of their NBA home opener with the Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) celebrates with guard Malaki Branham (22) after a dunk during the first half of their NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama guards gthe basket against Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1)during the first half of their NBA home opener at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) congratulates forward Harrison Barnes (40) for making a 3-pointer during the first half of their NBA home opener with the Houston Rockets at the Frost Bank Center on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. The Spurs beat the Rockets 109-106.
By Jeff McDonald, Staff Writer, via San Antonio Express-News