Spurs secure first playoff berth since 2019 on Wembanyama’s last-second jumper
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SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama drained a 17-foot fadeaway with 1.1 seconds remaining Wednesday night, lifting the San Antonio Spurs to a 101-100 victory over the Phoenix Suns and locking up the franchise’s first postseason appearance in six years.
The rookie center took an in-bounds pass with 9.7 seconds left, dribbled to his right, then rose over Oso Ighodaro for the go-ahead basket at Frost Bank Center. According to ESPN Research, it was Wembanyama’s first career field goal that put his team ahead in the final five seconds of regulation or overtime after five previous misses.
“You want to shoot it as close to one or two seconds as possible,” Wembanyama said. “If you miss, there’s a chance for an offensive rebound; if you make it, they don’t have time.”
The 20-year-old finished with 34 points, 12 rebounds and three steals, posting his 11th 30-point, 10-rebound game of the season—the most by a Spur since Tim Duncan logged 13 in 2003-04. San Antonio became the NBA’s second team to clinch a playoff spot, following Oklahoma City one night earlier.
Late surge erases Suns’ advantage
Phoenix led by 10 with 4:50 left after Devin Booker fed Khaman Maluach for a dunk. From there, Wembanyama scored seven points and De’Aaron Fox added nine of his 23 as San Antonio closed on a 16-5 run. Collin Gillespie paced the Suns with 24 points, while Booker contributed 22.
“We were down six to 10 points most of the game and walked it down in the last couple of minutes,” Fox said.
Celebration — and a spill — courtside
In the scramble to get back on defense after the deciding basket, Wembanyama collided with a courtside spectator who spilled red wine on the rookie’s shorts. As Booker’s last-second heave fell short, Wembanyama untucked his jersey at midcourt while teammates converged.
Keldon Johnson grabbed a microphone during the on-court celebration, leading the sellout crowd of 18,648 in an “MVP” chant. “He deserves his flowers,” the veteran forward said.
Turning the corner
Wednesday’s win pushed San Antonio to 20-2 since Feb. 1, the NBA’s best mark over that stretch, and ended the longest playoff drought in franchise history. The Spurs had never previously missed the postseason in consecutive years.
“I’m happy for the city, the community and the organization,” first-year head coach Mitch Johnson said.
Wembanyama credited Fox, last season’s inaugural NBA Clutch Player of the Year, for advising him on the final play. “He kind of told me what to do,” the rookie noted. Fox explained the strategy: “We put Devin Vassell in the corner to keep the help away, and Victor took his time and hit the game winner.”
San Antonio next visits Dallas on Friday, carrying the league’s hottest record — and a long-awaited ticket back to the postseason.
Source: ESPN
