Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs puts up a shot against Bilal Coulibaly #0 of the Washington Wizards in the first half at Frost Bank Center on January 29, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas. Photo: Ronald Cortes / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Washington Wizards finished strong to take down the San Antonio Spurs 118-113 at the Frost Bank Center. Washington outscored San Antonio 31-20 in the fourth quarter to notch its second win in-a-row. Kyle Kuzma and Daniel Gafford both recorded a double-double for the Wizards. Kuzma finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Gafford chipped in 16 points and 13 boards to help Washington improve to 9-and-37. Victor Wembanyama totaled 22 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks in the losing effort. Devin Vassell scored a game-high 24 points as the Spurs slipped to 10-and-37.
SPURS POSTGAME QUOTES:
Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich:
(Opening Statement…)
“That’s what I call a self-inflicted loss. I thought Washington played harder than we did, they played smarter, they executed better. We didn’t have enough people playing well or playing smart, and we did that to ourselves. I think it’s a tough loss because for the first time in a while we looked young, we looked immature, we looked foolish and did not play with each other the way we have been. So, that’s a disappointment. But that’s the way it goes, and you move on.”
Spurs Forward Cedi Osman
(On being a young team learning to come off a good win…)
“Maybe. Obviously, we had good games against Portland and Minnesota, and we’re trying to build consistency. Obviously, tonight we were not successful in terms of that. There were some good points, but I think there was more stuff that we could have done better tonight. At the end of the day, it’s a good lesson for us. We have another game on Wednesday against another tough opponent, Orlando. We’ll be ready for that game.”
(On his approach coming off the bench and giving the team a lift…)
“Really nothing different. Just trying to be myself. Trying to get into the game, and Tre [Jones] found me as soon as I got into the game. But at the end of the day, I was trying to do my thing. Be aggressive and bring energy on both ends.”
Spurs Forward Victor Wembanyama
(On the expectations coming into this game…)
“I don't think it's got to do with expectations. This is not an excuse at all, but we got to get stronger mentally going into the next game … We still need to come in with the same motivation. And I think we were maybe mentally tired because of the last two efforts, but we got to get stronger because it's not acceptable.”
(On Cedi Osman and the lift he gave in the game tonight…)
“Very efficient. I love the energy from these guys, Cedi and Blake [Wesley]. His first time on the court was so intense and so efficient. I think they were in their roles as best as they could tonight. And so, it's huge for us to do.”