Game ID: 22400421
San Antonio Spurs @ Brooklyn Nets
Friday, December 27, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
BKN 22 19 21 25 87SAS 11 30 33 22 96
BKN vs SAS ScoutingBKN vs SAS Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
BKN availability going into 12/19 · 2 days' restOUT Thomas missed 8 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 5 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Whitehead missed 4 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/08 after 4, 28 min since (97% of 29)
BACK Clowney back 12/13 after 7, 17 min since (77% of 23)
BACK Martin back 12/16 after 3, 18 min since (82% of 22)
BKN availability going into 12/21 · 1 day's restOUT Thomas missed 9 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 6 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Whitehead missed 5 since 12/04, out tonight
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/08 after 4, 29 min since (101% of 29)
BACK Clowney back 12/13 after 7, 24 min since (106% of 23)
BACK Martin back 12/16 after 3, 16 min since (74% of 22)
BKN availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restOUT Thomas missed 10 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 7 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 2 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Whitehead missed 6 since 12/04, returns tonight: 2 min (13% of 12)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/08 after 4, 29 min since (101% of 29)
BACK Clowney back 12/13 after 7, 25 min since (111% of 23)
BACK Martin back 12/16 after 3, 18 min since (84% of 22)
BKN availability going into 12/26 · 2 days' restOUT Thomas missed 11 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 2 since 12/21, out tonight
OUT Williams missed 8 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 3 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Clowney back 12/13 after 7, 26 min since (115% of 23)
BACK Martin back 12/16 after 3, 19 min since (88% of 22)
BACK Whitehead back 12/23 after 6, 2 min since (13% of 12)
BKN availability going into 12/27 · back-to-backOUT Thomas missed 12 since 11/27, out tonight
OUT Finney-Smith missed 3 since 12/21, returns tonight: 27 min (93% of 29)
OUT Williams missed 9 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 4 since 12/19, out tonight
BACK Martin back 12/16 after 3, 19 min since (86% of 22)
BACK Whitehead back 12/23 after 6, 2 min since (13% of 12)
NEW Simmons 25 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Clowney 23 to 29 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restOUT Thomas missed 13 since 11/27, returns tonight: 25 min (79% of 31)
OUT Williams missed 10 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 5 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Whitehead missed 2 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/27 after 3, 27 min since (93% of 29)
NEW Simmons 25 to 30 min over the last 4
NEW Clowney 23 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Milton 18 to 26 min over the last 5
BKN availability going into 1/01 · 2 days' restOUT Williams missed 11 since 12/02, out tonight
OUT Watford missed 6 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Whitehead missed 3 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Thomas back 12/29 after 13, 25 min since (79% of 31)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/27 after 3, 27 min since (93% of 29)
NEW Wilson 26 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW K. Johnson 24 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Clowney 23 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Milton 18 to 25 min over the last 4
BKN availability going into 1/02 · back-to-backOUT Williams missed 12 since 12/02, returns tonight: 18 min (76% of 24)
OUT Watford missed 7 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Whitehead missed 4 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Thomas back 12/29 after 13, 25 min since (79% of 31)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/27 after 3, 27 min since (93% of 29)
NEW Wilson 26 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW K. Johnson 24 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Clowney 23 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Milton 18 to 25 min over the last 3
BKN availability going into 1/04 · 1 day's restOUT Watford missed 8 since 12/19, out tonight
OUT Whitehead missed 5 since 12/26, out tonight
BACK Thomas back 12/29 after 13, 23 min since (75% of 31)
BACK Finney-Smith back 12/27 after 3, 27 min since (93% of 29)
BACK Williams back 1/02 after 12, 18 min since (76% of 24)
NEW Wilson 26 to 34 min over the last 5
NEW K. Johnson 24 to 31 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/19 · 3 days' restOUT Johnson missed 2 since 12/13, returns tonight: 29 min (123% of 24)
OUT Jones missed 6 since 12/03, returns tonight: 14 min (86% of 16)
OUT Collins missed 2 since 12/13, out tonight
BACK Wembanyama back 12/08 after 2, 31 min since (94% of 33)
BACK Wesley back 12/05 after 2, 12 min since (101% of 12)
BACK Mamukelashvili back 12/05 after 2, 11 min since (100% of 11)
NEW Champagnie 24 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Bassey 10 to 17 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/21 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 3 since 12/13, out tonight
BACK Wembanyama back 12/08 after 2, 33 min since (98% of 33)
BACK Johnson back 12/19 after 2, 29 min since (123% of 24)
BACK Jones back 12/19 after 6, 14 min since (86% of 16)
NEW Champagnie 24 to 31 min over the last 5
NEW Bassey 10 to 16 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/23 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 4 since 12/13, out tonight
BACK Wembanyama back 12/08 after 2, 32 min since (97% of 33)
BACK Johnson back 12/19 after 2, 25 min since (105% of 24)
BACK Jones back 12/19 after 6, 16 min since (99% of 16)
NEW Sochan 25 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Champagnie 24 to 29 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/25 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 5 since 12/13, out tonight
BACK Johnson back 12/19 after 2, 24 min since (100% of 24)
BACK Jones back 12/19 after 6, 15 min since (96% of 16)
NEW Sochan 25 to 32 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/27 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 6 since 12/13, out tonight
OUT Wesley missed 2 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Mamukelashvili missed 2 since 12/23, out tonight
BACK Johnson back 12/19 after 2, 22 min since (94% of 24)
BACK Jones back 12/19 after 6, 16 min since (97% of 16)
NEW Sochan 25 to 32 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/29 · 1 day's restOUT Collins missed 7 since 12/13, returns tonight: 7 min (56% of 12)
OUT Wesley missed 3 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Mamukelashvili missed 3 since 12/23, out tonight
OUT Bassey missed 2 since 12/25, returns tonight: 5 min (45% of 10)
BACK Johnson back 12/19 after 2, 23 min since (97% of 24)
BACK Jones back 12/19 after 6, 16 min since (98% of 16)
NEW Sochan 25 to 33 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 12/31 · 1 day's restOUT Wesley missed 4 since 12/23, returns tonight: 9 min (73% of 12)
OUT Mamukelashvili missed 4 since 12/23, returns tonight: 8 min (71% of 11)
BACK Collins back 12/29 after 7, 7 min since (56% of 12)
BACK Bassey back 12/29 after 2, 5 min since (45% of 10)
NEW Sochan 25 to 32 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 1/03 · 2 days' restBACK Collins back 12/29 after 7, 12 min since (99% of 12)
BACK Wesley back 12/31 after 4, 9 min since (73% of 12)
BACK Mamukelashvili back 12/31 after 4, 8 min since (71% of 11)
BACK Bassey back 12/29 after 2, 5 min since (50% of 10)
NEW Sochan 25 to 30 min over the last 5
SAS availability going into 1/04 · back-to-backBACK Collins back 12/29 after 7, 13 min since (107% of 12)
BACK Wesley back 12/31 after 4, 9 min since (73% of 12)
BACK Mamukelashvili back 12/31 after 4, 8 min since (71% of 11)
BACK Bassey back 12/29 after 2, 5 min since (50% of 10)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Brooklyn comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 109, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 22 free throws a game; C. Johnson at 24 and Clowney at 12 a game. Without Thomas (12 straight), Finney-Smith (3 straight), Williams (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 111, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 17 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 32 and Sochan at 17 a game. One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-3 a night and San Antonio minus-3. Call it San Antonio 111, Brooklyn 109, Brooklyn keeping it close.
12/19 @ TOR 101-94 — BKN notes
BKN won 101-94. BKN shot 40% (33 of 82) to TOR's 40%, 9 of 39 from three, and went to the line 31 times to TOR's 14 — 26 points from the stripe to their 11. The glass went 53-34 for them. C. Johnson led with 33 (9 of 15, 4 of 10 from three, 11 of 12 at the line); Simmons added 12, Milton 12. The hinge was Q4, 31-18: BKN came in trailing by 6 and left it ahead by 7. Finney-Smith was the night's best plus/minus at +19.
12/21 vs UTA 94-105 — BKN notes
BKN lost 94-105. BKN took 8 more shots (94 to 86), fed by 16 offensive rebounds, but shot 40% to UTA's 48%, 7 of 40 from three. C. Johnson led with 18 (7 of 15, 2 of 9 from three); Simmons added 15, Milton 11. Q1 was theirs, 24-19, but the other 3 periods went 86-70 against them. Claxton's -16 in 26 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/23 @ MIA 95-110 — BKN notes
BKN lost 95-110. BKN took 11 more shots (84 to 73), fed by 11 offensive rebounds, but shot 39% to MIA's 49%, 13 of 34 from three. C. Johnson led with 19 (7 of 15, 3 of 7 from three); Clowney added 19, K. Johnson 15. Q2 was theirs, 29-19, the deficit cut from 11 to 1, but the other 3 periods went 91-66 against them. Milton's -16 in 19 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/26 @ MIL 111-105 — BKN notes
BKN won 111-105. BKN shot 48% (39 of 82) to MIL's 49%, 16 of 38 from three, and went to the line 22 times to MIL's 12 — 17 points from the stripe to their 8. C. Johnson led with 29 (8 of 13, 4 of 6 from three, 9 of 9 at the line); Clowney added 20, Milton 20. The hinge was Q4, 35-23: BKN came in trailing by 6 and left it ahead by 6. BKN trailed 51-59 at the half and won the second half 60-46. Simmons was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
12/27 vs SAS 87-96 — BKN notes
BKN lost 87-96. BKN took 12 more shots (90 to 78), fed by 12 offensive rebounds, but shot 39% to SAS's 41%, 12 of 41 from three, and got to the line just 8 times against 22 fouls committed. K. Johnson led with 25 (10 of 20, 4 of 10 from three); Milton added 16, Martin 13. Q1 was theirs, 22-11, but the other 3 periods went 85-65 against them. They led by as many as 14. Beekman's -16 in 14 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/29 @ ORL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Orlando comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 104, shooting 44 percent and 30 from three, 21 free throws a game; Suggs at 20 and Bitadze at 13 a game. Without Banchero (28 straight), Wagner (8 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 102, shooting 41 percent and 30 from three, 19 free throws a game; C. Johnson at 25 and Clowney at 13 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Thomas (13 straight), Williams (10 straight), Watford (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: Orlando wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Orlando 107, Brooklyn 102.
1/01 @ TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Toronto comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 134, shooting 44 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; Barrett at 22 and Barnes at 18 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Quickley (22 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 104, shooting 42 percent and 33 from three, 18 free throws a game; C. Johnson at 19 and K. Johnson at 15 a game. Without Williams (11 straight), Watford (6 straight). 2 days' rest.
So: Brooklyn wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Brooklyn allowing 104 a night to Toronto's 134 and the glass, where Brooklyn has been plus-0 a night and Toronto minus-6. Call it Brooklyn 114, Toronto 109.
1/02 @ MIL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Milwaukee comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 106, shooting 45 percent and 39 from three, 14 free throws a game; Portis at 20 and Middleton at 19 a game. Without Wright (2 straight). One day's rest. Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 109, shooting 44 percent and 36 from three, 20 free throws a game; C. Johnson at 20 and K. Johnson at 17 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Williams (12 straight), Watford (7 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Milwaukee wins, and the game turns on the line, where Brooklyn takes 20 free throws a game to Milwaukee's 14. Call it Milwaukee 114, Brooklyn 104, Milwaukee by 10.
1/04 vs PHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Brooklyn comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 109, shooting 44 percent and 35 from three, 21 free throws a game; C. Johnson at 22 and K. Johnson at 15 a game. Without Watford (8 straight). One day's rest. Philadelphia comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 116, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 27 free throws a game; Embiid at 31 and Maxey at 26 a game. It has lost the glass by 10 a night. Without Oubre Jr. (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: Brooklyn wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Brooklyn has been minus-1 a night and Philadelphia minus-10 and the defense, Brooklyn allowing 109 a night to Philadelphia's 116. Call it Brooklyn 111, Philadelphia 110, Philadelphia keeping it close.
12/19 vs ATL 133-126 — SAS notes
SAS won 133-126 in 1 overtime. SAS shot 49% (49 of 101) to ATL's 47%, 19 of 42 from three. SAS turned it over 17 times to ATL's 22. The glass went 42-53 against them. Wembanyama led with 42 (13 of 24, 7 of 15 from three, 9 of 12 at the line); Vassell added 23, Sochan 20. The hinge was Q3, 30-21: SAS came in trailing by 6 and left it ahead by 3. SAS trailed 60-66 at the half and won the second half 73-60. Wembanyama was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
12/21 vs POR 114-94 — SAS notes
SAS won 114-94. SAS shot 47% (44 of 93) to POR's 40%, 10 of 36 from three, and went to the line 18 times to POR's 9 — 16 points from the stripe to their 6. Wembanyama led with 30 (8 of 16, 4 of 8 from three, 10 of 11 at the line); Bassey added 16, Vassell 11. The hinge was Q2, 35-24: a lead of 5 became 16, and the lead reached 26. Wembanyama was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
12/23 @ PHI 106-111 — SAS notes
SAS lost 106-111. SAS shot 46% (37 of 81) to PHI's 42%, 15 of 45 from three. SAS turned it over 18 times to PHI's 9, and PHI turned those into 11 steals. Wembanyama led with 26 (9 of 19, 6 of 13 from three); Castle added 17, Sochan 15. Q4 was theirs, 31-27, the deficit cut from 9 to 5, but the other 3 periods went 84-75 against them. Vassell's -17 in 32 minutes was the worst on the floor.
12/25 @ NYK 114-117 — SAS notes
SAS lost 114-117. SAS shot 51% (42 of 83) to NYK's 45%, 16 of 38 from three. SAS turned it over 15 times to NYK's 5. Wembanyama led with 42 (16 of 31, 6 of 16 from three); Sochan added 21, Paul 13. Q2 was theirs, 31-23, turning a 1-point deficit into a 7-point lead, but the other 3 periods went 94-83 against them.
12/27 @ BKN 96-87 — SAS notes
SAS won 96-87. SAS shot 41% (32 of 78) to BKN's 39%, 12 of 28 from three, and went to the line 27 times to BKN's 8 — 20 points from the stripe to their 5. Wembanyama led with 19 (7 of 14, 3 of 6 from three); Champagnie added 18, Johnson 15. The hinge was Q3, 33-21: from level to 12 ahead, and the lead reached 17. Champagnie was the night's best plus/minus at +17.
12/29 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 40 from three, 16 free throws a game; Randle at 22 and Edwards at 20 a game. One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 107, shooting 47 percent and 38 from three, 21 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 32 and Sochan at 16 a game. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 107 a night to Minnesota's 115. Call it Minnesota 111, San Antonio 110, San Antonio keeping it close.
12/31 vs LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 104, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 22 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 30 and Vassell at 14 a game. One day's rest. The Clippers come in 4-1 over their last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 105, shooting 48 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Powell at 29 and Harden at 22 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Mann (9 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Clippers giving it away 17 times a game to San Antonio's 13. Call it San Antonio 110, the Clippers 107, the Clippers keeping it close.
1/03 @ DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 128 a night and allowing 124, shooting 53 percent and 39 from three, 24 free throws a game; Jokić at 30 and Murray at 23 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Gordon (4 straight). One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 103, shooting 46 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 30 and Vassell at 13 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 103 a night to Denver's 124 and the arc, Denver at 39 percent from three to San Antonio's 33. Call it Denver 117, San Antonio 114, San Antonio keeping it close.
1/04 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 102, shooting 46 percent and 34 from three, 21 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 31 and Vassell at 14 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 130 a night and allowing 125, shooting 52 percent and 41 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jokić at 33 and Murray at 23 a game. Without Gordon (5 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: San Antonio wins, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 102 a night to Denver's 125 and the arc, Denver at 41 percent from three to San Antonio's 34. Call it San Antonio 117, Denver 115, Denver keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
SASCP C. Paul
DV D. Vassell
HB H. Barnes
JC J. Champagnie
JS J. Sochan
SC S. Castle
TJ T. Jones
VW V. Wembanyama
BKNDF D. Finney-Smith
DS D. Sharpe
JW J. Wilson
KJ K. Johnson
NC N. Claxton
NC N. Clowney
RB R. Beekman
SM S. Milton
TM T. Martin
SAS/BKN the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Wembanyama has 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 blocks to lead Spurs to 96-87 win over Nets
NEW YORK -- — Victor Wembanyama had 19 points, seven rebounds and six blocks, Jeremy Sochan had 12 points and 14 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Brooklyn Nets 96-87 on Friday night.
Julian Champagnie scored 18 points, and Keldon Johnson had 15 points and six rebounds to help the Spurs end a two-game skid.
Keon Johnson scored a game-high 25 points and Shake Milton chipped in with 16 points and 12 assists for Brooklyn, which fell for the ninth time in its past 12 games.
Takeaways San Antonio: After an abysmal shooting first half, where they shot just 27.5% from the field, the Spurs lit it up in the second half by making 21 of 37 field goals (56.7%).
Brooklyn: Playing the second of a back-to-back, and without leading scorer Cam Johnson (hip contusion) and assist leader Ben Simmons (lower back management), the Nets struggled to generate offense, shooting just 38.9% from the field and scoring a season low for points.
Key moment After a quiet four-point first half, Wembanyama came alive in the third quarter by scoring 11 points and knocking down three 3-pointers during the Spurs’ 22-9 run that turned a two-point deficit in to a 69-58 lead.
The Spurs survived a brief third-quarter scare when Wembanyama went to the locker room after catching Jalen Wilson’s accidental head butt with 4:43 left. San Antonio outscored Brooklyn 12-8 with Wembanyama out of the game and 33-21 overall in the third quarter.
Wembanyama later confirmed that he passed concussion protocols.
Key stat Wembanyama had at least four blocks in his fifth straight game. He also recorded at least one 3-pointer and at least one block for the 22nd straight game.