The San Antonio Spurs entered their Saturday night contest with some dire news: Victor Wembanyama would sit out due to an illness. Coming off a dominant win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, the Spurs were expected to be somewhat sluggish, especially without their best player.
Despite some obvious fatigue, the Spurs barely fell to the Miami Heat, 105-103, losing on a Bam Adebayo buzzer-beater.
Feb 1, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) shoots over Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) during the first half at Frost Bank Center.
© Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Without Wembanyama, the Spurs were led by Keldon Johnson’s 19 points off the bench, following up a solid 24-point showing the night before against the Bucks. Charles Bassey, in only his third career start, offered nine points and a career-high 15 rebounds.
The Heat, meanwhile, were led by Adebayo, who was the hero of the game, icing it with a last-second midrange jumper. Without Wembanyama down low, the gold medalist was able to offer 30 points and 13 rebounds.
Miami led for the entire third quarter but coughed up their lead midway through the fourth.
With six minutes left, rookie Stephon Castle stole the ball and then showed why he was picked for the Slam Dunk Contest, throwing one down on Kel’el Ware and giving the Spurs a lead, although they couldn’t hold onto it. Castle would finish with 10 points, six rebounds, and six assists before fouling out minutes later.
79 straight 3s for Herro, who went 0-8 against the Spurs, only scoring 11 points. He will join Wembanyama as a first-time All-Star in San Francisco later this month.
The Spurs won’t play again until Monday, traveling to take on the Memphis Grizzlies. The Spurs are about to embark on the annual Rodeo Road Trip, and won’t return to San Antonio until March 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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