Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs battles Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets for rebounding position in the second half at Frost Bank Center on October 26, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas.Photo: Ronald Cortes / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Spurs beat the Rockets in San Antonio's home season-opener on Saturday night. The Spurs edged the Rockets 109 to 106. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 29 points and 7 rebounds. The Spurs are now 1-1 on the season and are back in action in another game against the Rockets on Monday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
SPURS POSTGAME QUOTES
Spurs Head Coach Gregg Popovich
(On tonight’s game…)
“Winning an NBA game is, and always has been difficult. They’re wars out there, so any win is a great win. Overall, our execution couldn't be as sharp as we'd want it to be with guys just getting used to each other, but other than that, I thought the effort was great. We did a great job on the board, and hopefully, we'll handle the ball and have fewer turnovers on Monday.”
(On the team’s defense…)
“I thought we did a good job until the very end when they isolated and just went one-on-one, because they got a couple of guys that are hard to stay in front of for us. That got him back in the ballgame. The one-on-one stuff by Jalen Green and a couple of other guys were really tough to negotiate.”
(On the team matching Houston’s physicality…)
“I think in the second half, Houston was a little bit better with their physicality than we were. We were good in the first half, but I thought in the second half, they got into us. I think it hurt our movement, because against the team that's going to do that, put the lumber on you and hold you a bit, hack; referees can't call everything. They're not going to do that. So, you better move. You better make people move. Ball has to change sides, and we've got to do a better job on Monday.”
Spurs Guard/Forward Keldon Johnson
(On closing out the win…)
“It’s definitely good to win. Like we said before, we all locked in, we’re all on the same page. Down the stretch, it was a close game and we executed, made some winning plays and now it’s just get ready for Monday. We know [the Rockets] are gonna come back, they’re gonna be hungry, they’re gonna be ready to play. We got to come in and try to repeat and get another win.”
(On if the offseason emphasis on defense has paid off…)
“Definitely. It’s definitely been a point of emphasis. From top to bottom, starting with coach down to us knowing the expectations we have. Go out there and get stops, get on the break and have fun. I feel like that’s the main thing. I feel like everything we do has to start with defense, on the defensive end getting stops.”
Spurs Guard Stephon Castle
(On being on the floor late in close games…)
“I feel like being out there late in the game is just a credit to my defense. I feel like that’s when it’s needed most. I was really just trying to lock in on that. On the other end, just execute whatever Pop calls. We had [Chris Paul] on the court as well, so with two great minds like that, it takes a lot of pressure off me.”
(On his ability to facilitate and if he’s always had that skill set…)
“I would say I’ve always had it. My dad kind of opened my eyes to a lot of those passes when I was young. Just reading the floor, reading defenses is something that I’ve always been able to do ever since I was young. Being able to see those passes, I wouldn’t say is too difficult for me.”
Spurs Forward Jeremy Sochan
(On holding the Rockets off…)
“They definitely had momentum. It was really just about staying composed, staying together, communicating and finishing it through.”
(On the team’s defense in the second quarter…)
“That’s what we want, that’s the culture we want 48 minutes a game. We have to translate that now. It was fun, exciting. It’s always fun to play some real good defense and then get on the transition, have fun, play together, pass the ball and score on the other end. I think that’s the identity the whole team wants, the coaches and the front office.”