AUSTIN, Texas -- De'Aaron Fox scored 11 consecutive points in the closing moments, propelling the San Antonio Spurs to a 120-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns on February 20, 2025. This win was particularly poignant for the Spurs, coming just hours after they had learned their star player, Victor Wembanyama, was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a blood clot in his right shoulder.
Fox finished the game with 26 points, alongside nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and two blocks. His explosive performance proved pivotal as San Antonio opened up the two-game set against the Suns, positioning themselves strongly within their coveted mega-region of Austin. Teammates Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie also contributed significantly, each netting 15 points.
For the Suns, Royce O'Neale led the scoring effort with 27 points, but this was not enough to stem the tide of their fourth consecutive loss and seventh in their last eight games. Phoenix’s Kevin Durant, who returned to the University of Texas campus where he once showcased his talent, added 22 points to the mix. Durant is remembered for his outstanding 2006-07 season at Texas, where he claimed multiple player-of-the-year awards.
The game reflected key discrepancies, particularly on the boards, where the Suns were out-rebounded 44-39. Despite the absence of the towering 7-foot-3 Wembanyama, the Spurs managed to dominate paint points, outscoring Phoenix 50-36.
Fox’s late-game precision showcased the Spurs' agility and adaptability. After sealing the game with his streak of scoring, he said, “I was just trying to do whatever I could to help the team win.” His performance was not only valuable but exhibited the depth of the Spurs lineup, particularly with the team's future uncertain after Wembanyama’s injury.
Chris Paul also made headlines during the match, passing Jason Kidd to move to second place on the NBA's all-time assists list, trailing only behind John Stockton. Paul contributed with 10 assists during the game, highlighting his continued elite play as he drives the Spurs' offense.
The Spurs mounted their lead throughout the game, including significant plays from Stephon Castle, who pulled down 10 rebounds, and Bismack Biyombo, who did his part by scoring eight points and making his season debut under challenging circumstances. Biyombo filled the gap for Wembanyama, who was sidelined along with Charles Bassey, who missed his sixth game due to injury.
The momentum shifted decisively late in the third quarter when Castle scored on a fast-break layup followed by Champagnie hitting a deep three-pointer, ending the quarter with the Spurs leading 94-79. Biyombo's contributions found importance as he scored six points during this surge.
Despite the loss, the Suns maintain ambitions for the playoffs, and their struggles will need to be addressed quickly as they prepare for their next game against the Chicago Bulls. Coach Monty Williams acknowledged the hardships, indicating, "We need to find our rhythm again," reflecting the urgency needed for improvement.
Conversely, the Spurs are set to continue their positive momentum as they look to host the Detroit Pistons next. The triumph against the Suns not only helps solidify their standing within the team but also serves as proof of their resilience, even amid adversity.
With Wembanyama’s absence, the Spurs will need to tap deep within their roster's capabilities, and as their coach noted, “Today, we proved we can play without Wemby, but we miss him dearly.” Looking forward, this agility may just be what they need to keep their playoff hopes alive as they navigate through the season.