SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs could not end 2023 with a win falling to the Boston Celtics at home, 134-101.
Victor Wembanyama had 21 points and seven rebounds. Jeremy Sochan had nine points and three rebounds. Devin Vassell recorded 22 points in the loss while Malaki Brnaham added 11 points. Dominick Barlow added eight points.
Keldon Johnson and Zach Collins did not play due to injuries.
The Spurs are 5-27 on the season and will next visit the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night.
Here's a sample of what the teams said after the game.
SPURS
Coach Gregg Popovich:
"They (Boston) are a championship-caliber team. That's what they are out there for. That's their goal. They proved it once again. It's a hell of a team. Joe (Mazulla) does a great job with them. That's a tough challenge for our group at this particular time. The effort was there. It helps to make shots and we didn't."
Wembanyama:
"It's difficult to play against them (Boston) and it's a good challenge. I think we learned today. They made very few mistakes and that's inspiring. We haven't been winning every game so far and it's not a problem to try different things."
CELTICS
Coach Joe Mazzulla:
“I thought we were really good at doing both, protecting the paint and getting out to contest, which allowed us to get out in transition. I think our secondary transition, we did a good job of recognizing where the mismatch was and getting to it fast and playing together as a team through it.”
Derrick White:
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