The San Antonio Spurs (6–2) snapped a two-game losing streak and cooled off the red-hot Houston Rockets (5–3) with a convincing 121–110 win on November 8.
Here are the key stats and top performers of the game:
BEST PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Victor Wembanyama SAS C 22 PTS | 8 REB | 2 BLK | 39.6 FPS
Wemby struggled in the first half, scoring 4 points on 2-for-6 shooting. But he turned it around after the break and finished with his first 20-point game this month. He had an explosive performance in the opening weeks, putting up 30 points and nearly 15 rebounds per game, but he cooled down this month, averaging 16.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5 fouls and 5 turnovers in three games.
BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE:
Alperen Sengun HOU C 25 PTS | 9 REB | 8 AST | 50.8 FPS
Sengun is on an impressive stretch, recording three consecutive double-doubles to start the month. He came up a little short against the Spurs, but he still scored 20+ points for the third straight game and was on a triple-double alert for the second time this season. Last month, he averaged nearly 24 points with 8.0 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and nearly 3 stocks per game.
SCORING MACHINES:
Kevin Durant HOU PF 24 PTS | 8-18 FG | 7-7 FT | 23.2 FPS
KD did his part on offense but had his least productive game in rebounding while also having a limited impact in other areas to go along with a season-high 8 turnovers.
Harrison Barnes SAS PF 24 PTS | 8-11 FG | 6-9 3PT | 36.0 FPS
Barnes is on a hot shooting streak this month, hitting 65% from the field and 62% from three while maintaining a perfect 8-for-8 shooting from the line in three games. He’s also scored at least 18 points for the second time this season.
STAT SPECIALIST:
Stephon Castle SAS PG 14 PTS | 6 REB | 13 AST | 44.7 FPS
Castle delivered his season-high in assists, recorded at least 2 steals in five straight games, and has put up at least 5 rebounds in every game this conference. However, foul trouble and turnovers continue to be a problem.
DEFENSIVE STANDOUT:
Devin Vassell SAS SG 3 REB | 3 AST | 4 STL | 34.1 FPS
Vassell shined on defense, recording his season-best in steals after having none in his previous three outings. Offensively, he was impressive in October, averaging nearly 17 points while shooting 43% from the field and 40% from three. But he hasn’t been the same this month, putting up 11.3 points while shooting just 31% from the field and 25% from deep.
THE SHARPSHOOTER:
Reed Sheppard HOU PG 16 PTS | 6-10 FG | 4-7 3PT | 27.0 FPS
Sheppard is hitting 2.1 triples per game this season on 42.9% shooting, and he delivered again vs. the Spurs, finishing with his fourth double-digit scoring game and his second with four threes made this season.
THE X-FACTOR:
Julian Champagnie SAS SF 22 PTS | 7 REB | 5 STL | 47.9 FPS
Champagnie tied his career high in three-pointers to finish with his third double-digit scoring effort and his best scoring game this season. He was also a force on defense, recording his second consecutive game with 7 rebounds while leading all players in total defensive stats with 6.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Josh Okogie HOU SG 12 PTS | 3 REB | 5 STL | 27.6 FPS
Okogie scored in double-digits for the sixth time this season and stepped up big defensively, delivering a season-high in steals to raise his average to 2.5 this month.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE GAME:
Amen Thompson HOU SF 14 PTS | 7 REB | 3 AST
Thompson averaged an incredible 27.5 points in his last two games but slowed down on offense and finished with his lowest scoring output of the month, along with his fewest assists in his last six games.
