Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shots over Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat in the first half at Frost Bank Center on November 12, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. Photo: Ronald Cortes / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Spurs are now riding a five-game losing streak after Sunday night's 118-113 loss to the Miami Heat at the Frost Bank Center. Keldon Johnson led the Spurs with 20-points in the losing effort. Victor Wembanyama filled the stat sheet with 18 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. The loss drops San Antonio to 3-and-7. They hit the road on Tuesday night to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tipoff at Paycom Center is at 6:30 p.m.
SPURS POSTGAME QUOTES:
SPURS HEAD COACH GREGG POPOVICH
(On if he's proud of how the Spurs performed…)
"Well, it's a championship team and I thought our guys were great. Too many mistakes, a little bit of sloppiness on some passes that created some turnovers and undisciplined fouls and it adds up. That's where we want to be, more disciplined which would mean fewer undisciplined fouls, fewer turnovers, and if some were unforced because of the passes we tried to make. But the effort is there, and I can see the wheels turning. They understand different situations and who's on the court and this and that. They're learning about each other, so I was really proud of them and what they did tonight. Nobody likes to lose, but they're getting smarter with each game. "
(On what he thought of Keldon's work on the glass…)
"He made an effort to do that. We love to have our small guys, [what] we call gang rebounding it. That's important. The ones twos and threes can get boards, too, just like the big guys. He took that seriously and did a good job. "
(On how he thought the second unit held together without Tre Jones…)
"I think Malaki warmed up to it. I think he was a little bit tentative at first and as the game went on, he got into it. Young kid, he doesn't want to make a mistake. He wants to make sure everybody's doing what they're supposed to do. But he also has to play and be himself, and I thought he did that as his minutes went along."
SPURS GUARD/FORWARD KELDON JOHNSON
(On if he feels like they’re close to breaking through…)
“Yeah. We’re getting better, learning more and more. We had a lead, we controlled most of the game, now we just got to close out. So, we continue to grow, continue to learn, go over film and continue to get better on the things that we can control.”
(On what goes into closing out a game…)
“Execution. Coming out shows we have to execute a lot better on both ends. So, that’s a big part of it, execution.”
(On if he made an effort to hit the glass tonight…)
“I just know I have to do whatever it takes to help my team win and put us in the best position to win. So, tonight it was hitting the glass, being myself, bringing energy to the team, picking everybody up. I’m just in a way doing my job, doing what I can to put us in the best position to be successful.”
SPURS FORWARD VICTOR WEMBANYAMA
(On if he’s feeling like the team is getting better…)
“Yeah, we’re not far away. It doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy, but we’re not far away.”
(On what the physicality was like down the stretch and how he feels they countered back…)
“It was okay. They’re a very experienced team that went to the Finals. We’ve got many things to correct.”
(On how he handles and processes losing…)
“It just motivates me more. Nobody in the locker room is putting their head down and giving up, so we’re here and we’re ready.”
(On if he’s making an effort to be more aggressive)
“Every game is different, but it’s always one of my priorities to be aggressive. It’s always something to think about.”