Tre Jones #33 of the San Antonio Spurs is congratulated by Keldon Johnson #3 after they took a lead against the Brooklyn Nets in the second half at AT&T Center on January 17, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)Photo: Getty Images
The Spurs knocked off the Nets 106 to 98 on Tuesday night. Keldon Johnson led the team with 36 points. Jeremy Sochan added 16 points, Tre Jones had 13 and Jakob Poeltl 12 points to give the Spurs four players in double-figures.
SPURS POSTGAME QUOTES
Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich
(On what he saw defensively…)
“I thought we had a really good second half in transition. We hadn’t took over in the first half with transition. I thought we a did a real good job in the second half in that regard. We moved the ball pretty well, and as usual I thought our grit was good. We didn’t shoot that well for a good portion of the game, and they kept playing like they always do. I’m thrilled for them.”
(On Keldon Johnson shooting the ball and driving…)
“He did a little bit of both. He was at the rim a lot, shot threes. He had a great night. He had 11 rebounds, which was really important for us in addition to his offense.
Spurs Forward Jeremy Sochan
(On responding to the Nets run in the second quarter…)
“I think jus locking in. I think there were a few silly mistakes we did; fouls, turnovers, and just being more focused.”
(On feeling more confident in his 3-point shot when he’s open and contested…)
“Definitely. I’m always going to shoot it when I’m open, and in the flow of the game, with the shot clock and everything like that, it depends. But I’m comfortable with my shot, and I’ll keep on shooting it.”
(On the fans reaction to him in the second quarter…)
“That’s love. I feel like from day one, San Antonio showed me that. I’m always going to appreciate them and give love to them, too.”
Spurs Guard/Forward Keldon Johnson
(On scoring a career-high 36 points…)
”That’s why I play the game of basketball. I had it going tonight and I just kept going. It’s definitely a big moment, something that I’ll definitely remember, but I just have to keep striving to get better. My teammates and coaches continue to put me in amazing situations to be successful as a young player as I’m coming up in the NBA. So just as much as it’s me with a career high, it’s my team as well because without them it wouldn’t be possible.”
(On Jeremy Sochan’s intangibles…)
“He plays defense and plays basketball the right way. That’s all you can ask for as a rookie. He plays hard. Everything else will come, he’s only going to get better. He puts in the time and puts in the work, so I’m confident he’s going to have a bright future.”