Wembanyama scores 36 as Spurs hold off Jazz in overtime

Victor Wembanyama scored 36 points and grabbed 14 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Utah Jazz 117-111 in overtime in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, October 28. The win was San Antonio’s third straight, according to the Associated Press, after a game Utah forced into an extra period but could not close out.

The Jazz led by as many as 11 points and were ahead 55-51 at halftime. Wembanyama scored 21 points before the break to keep San Antonio close. Devin Vassell then gave the Spurs another scoring option, putting up 17 of his 21 points after halftime as they fought back from the early deficit.

How the Spurs took control in overtime

Sensabaugh opened the extra period with a three-pointer. San Antonio answered with a 12-0 run and tightened its defense: the Spurs forced four turnovers and held Utah to two makes in seven overtime field-goal attempts, according to the AP. Sensabaugh scored 16 points overall, while Ace Bailey added 19 and rookie Darryn Peterson scored 18 for the Jazz. Peterson did not play down the stretch or in overtime.

Utah’s depleted frontcourt and San Antonio’s recent form

Utah played without three big men, the AP reported. Jaren Jackson had a torn MCL in his right knee, Lauri Markkanen had a right wrist sprain, and Jusuf Nurkic had yet to play this season because of a foot injury. The result left the Jazz at 1-4 and the Spurs at 3-2. San Antonio had also been without Tobias Harris this season because of a strained calf.

An earlier Spurs win came through a different route. In an account of San Antonio’s 122-106 victory over Dallas on October 24, Visca Barça highlighted the Spurs’ 15 offensive rebounds and 25 second-chance points. Against Utah, the decisive stretch came at the defensive end, when the Spurs disrupted possessions after Sensabaugh’s opening overtime basket.

San Antonio is scheduled to host Minnesota on Saturday, while Utah is scheduled to host Portland, according to the AP.