HOUSTON – The San Antonio Spurs set an unwelcome franchise record with their 17th consecutive loss, falling 93-82 to the Houston Rockets on Monday night. Despite the defeat, rookie Victor Wembanyama remained optimistic about the team’s future.
Wembanyama, the top overall pick, contributed 15 points, 18 rebounds, and five blocks, including a notable dunk over Houston’s Alperen Sengun. However, his efforts were insufficient to end the Spurs’ losing streak, which has persisted since their Nov. 2 win over Phoenix.
The Rockets secured their 10th consecutive home victory and their third straight win overall, with Tari Eason leading the charge off the bench. Eason recorded a season-high 18 points and 14 rebounds, significantly impacting the game for Houston.
Houston coach Ime Udoka praised his team’s defensive effort, which compensated for a less effective offensive performance. A critical moment came when Wembanyama’s tip-in brought San Antonio within four points with about four minutes left, but Fred VanVleet’s subsequent 3-pointer and Sengun’s block swung momentum back in Houston’s favor. Eason’s dunk and another 3-pointer from VanVleet sealed the win for the Rockets.
Udoka also lauded Eason’s performance, highlighting his ability to provide a much-needed spark for the team. VanVleet and Sengun contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively, to the Rockets’ victory.
The Spurs struggled with their shooting, particularly from 3-point range, going 5 of 41 (12%). Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell had particularly challenging nights from beyond the arc. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich expressed his sympathy for the team’s shooting woes, noting their growth in other areas despite the lack of success in scoring.
Johnson, addressing the difficulty of the losing streak, remained committed to maintaining a positive attitude and competitiveness. The Rockets, meanwhile, led by Eason’s scoring, managed to hold off a late surge from the Spurs, who closed the gap to 77-73 with about 6½ minutes left, following a 7-3 run.
The third quarter saw Houston pull ahead with key 3-pointers from Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr., leading to a 69-62 advantage entering the fourth quarter. Rookie Amen Thompson, the fourth overall pick, returned for the Spurs after missing 13 games due to injury, contributing two points and five rebounds.
Looking ahead, the Spurs will host consecutive home games against the Los Angeles Lakers, while the Rockets prepare to face Memphis.
This game underscored the challenges facing the Spurs as they navigate a lengthy losing streak, contrasted by the Rockets’ ability to capitalize on their home-court advantage and depth, particularly from their bench.
