Victor Wembanyama scored 38 points to go with 12 rebounds and drilled game-tying and go-ahead 3-pointers in the final minute as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the host Chicago Bulls 121-117 on Monday.
De’Aaron Fox added 21 points for the Spurs, who outscored the Bulls 32-19 in the fourth quarter to send Chicago to its third straight loss.
Wembanyama shot 11-for-19, including 6-of-9 from deep, and was 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. His final trey of the night put San Antonio ahead 117-114 with 27.9 seconds to go.
Stephon Castle had a 19-point, 11-assist double-double while Luke Kornet (16 points) and Keldon Johnson (10) also scored in double figures.
San Antonio stopped a six-game losing streak against Chicago dating to February 2023.
Six Bulls finished in double figures, with Kevin Huerter (23 points) leading the way. Tre Jones and Ayo Dosunmu added 20 points each. Matas Buzelis followed with 15 and Nikola Vucevic and Jalen Smith both had 11.
Smith added 12 boards for his second straight double-double.
Wembanyama boosted the Spurs down the stretch despite picking up his fourth foul with 3:54 remaining in the third quarter, as Smith took a charge against the big man.
Huerter hit a 3-pointer with 19 seconds left in the third to stretch the Chicago lead to nine points. The Bulls led by 10 in the fourth but the Spurs crept closer before another Huerter trey put Chicago ahead 107-101 with 5:45 left.
Chicago led 64-63 at halftime, overcoming a shaky start to erupt for 38 points in the second quarter. Eight Bulls contributed at least five points during the half, with Jones (12) leading the way on 4-for-8 shooting.
Wembanyama and Fox paced San Antonio with 15 and 14 first-half points, respectively, helping the Spurs to a fast start. before turnovers and long-range shooting struggles mounted.
San Antonio committed nine of its 15 turnovers in the first half while connecting on just 23.8 percent of its attempts from deep.
Wembanyama had five assists and five blocks.
Vucevic had eight boards and Jones dished seven assists.
Josh Giddey, the Bulls’ leading scorer at 21.4 points a game, was sidelined with an ankle injury he sustained during Saturday’s loss at Cleveland. Chicago coach Billy Donovan said Giddey is considered day-to-day.
–Field Level Media
