Victor Wembanyama continued his sensational start to the season, recording 24 points and 15 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 121-103 win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night, matching the best start in franchise history at 4-0.
The Spurs have opened a season 4-0 for only the fourth time ever, last doing so in 2017. They’ll look to make history by winning their first five games for the first time.
Stephon Castle added 22 points and Harrison Barnes chipped in 18 as San Antonio built a comfortable lead early and held off multiple Raptors rallies. The Spurs, who didn’t reach their fourth win until November last season, now appear rejuvenated behind their young core and defensive dominance.
R.J. Barrett led Toronto with 25 points, Collin Murray-Boyles scored 19, and Immanuel Quickley added 15. The Raptors have dropped three straight since winning their season opener.
Wembanyama, named Western Conference Player of the Week earlier Monday, once again put on a show for the home crowd. In the first half, he drove past former teammate Jakob Poeltl, spun 360 degrees to evade Scottie Barnes, and banked in a dazzling layup — a play that brought the crowd to its feet. The 7-foot-4 phenom shot 7-of-8 from the floor and was perfect 10-for-10 at the free-throw line.
Barrett tried to spark a comeback with 10 third-quarter points, including a highlight-reel dunk off a steal that cut the Spurs’ lead to 101-93 with 7:55 to play. But San Antonio responded with a 9-2 run, capped by Wembanyama’s block on Barrett’s layup attempt with under four minutes remaining — the 89th consecutive game in which he’s recorded at least one block. That streak moves him past Patrick Ewing for the fourth-longest in NBA history.
Six Spurs finished in double figures, and rookie Dylan Harper joined elite company by scoring in double digits in his first four career games — a feat previously achieved by Wembanyama, David Robinson, and Willie Anderson.
Up Next:
-
Raptors: Return home to host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
-
Spurs: Continue their homestand against the Miami Heat on Thursday.
