TITLE: Wembanyama’s Second-Half Surge Lifts Spurs in Boston; Champagnie, Keldon Johnson Shine Off Bench
SLUG: wembanyama-spurs-champagnie-keldon-johnson-sochan-bryant
CONTENT:
Victor Wembanyama poured in 16 of his 21 points after intermission to carry San Antonio past Boston on Saturday, drilling a pair of late jumpers to secure the road win.
The 22-year-old center has come off the bench in each of the last three games after sitting out two contests with a knee issue. He indicated the reserve role will be short-lived. “The goal is to start soon and to keep it that way for the rest of the season,” Wembanyama said.
Champagnie Steps In for Injured Vassell
With Devin Vassell sidelined by a left adductor strain, Julian Champagnie continues to start on the wing. The 24-year-old recorded his fifth double-double of the campaign Saturday, finishing with 12 points, 13 rebounds and a game-saving block on Derrick White’s three-point try in the closing seconds.
“We trust him,” Wembanyama noted. “The front office, the coaching staff, everybody believes in him and he’s capitalizing on that. It’s like we can’t do without him now.”
Keldon Johnson Thrives in Reserve Role
Former starter Keldon Johnson delivered 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench in Boston, continuing the most efficient offensive season of his career. Accepting a reserve assignment was initially difficult, he admitted. “If I was to say it’s easy, I would be lying,” Johnson said. Head coach Mitch Johnson added that the forward “should at least be in the Sixth Man of the Year conversation.”
Sochan Downplays Postgame Dust-Up
Fourth-year forward Jeremy Sochan addressed a postgame incident from Wednesday, when Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt poked him in the face. Sochan said he approached Vanderbilt afterward for “a polite exchange,” adding that the Laker “just wasn’t emotionally stable in that moment.”
Rookie Bryant Gets G League Minutes
Late lottery pick Carter Bryant was sent to the Austin Spurs on Friday, logging 15 points, five rebounds and two blocks in 28 minutes before being recalled Saturday. Head coach Mitch Johnson said frequent assignments are not planned. “That was the most minutes I have played since my senior year of high school,” Bryant said, calling the stint a valuable confidence boost.
Source: Hoops Rumors
