SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs could not start 2024 with a win after falling to the Memphis Grizzlies on the road, 106-98.
Victor Wembanyama had 20 points, four blocks, and seven rebounds on the night. Jeremy Sochan had 12 points and two rebounds. Keldon Johnson added 19 points and six rebounds. Devin Vassell recorded 11 points in the loss while Blake Wesley added 10 points.
Malaki Branham exited the game with a right ankle injury and did not return.
The Spurs are 5-28 on the season and will next host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.
Here's a sample of what the teams said after the game.
SPURS
Coach Gregg Popovich:
"It's all about attitude. They played well. You look at fast break points, rebounds, assists, threes, whatever you look at we were poor from the free throw line but other than that they (Memphis) made a few more shots. We can't have 16 turnovers but you're there, you're playing a pretty good game. We had a lot of guys played that well. We have to be sharper. Make more free throws or make more shots. It was pretty good defense in a lot of ways."
Wembanyama:
"I think our team stats were pretty similar. They made a couple of more threes than us. It's a lot of details but I really liked what we were doing in the first half. Our defensive rotations were pretty good. This is what we got to look like all game."
Johnson:
"They're (Memphis) a pretty good team, the record doesn't really show. They got one of their best players back so, no, they’re probably making shots and us missing shots in the stretch. They've been getting away from us, but I think we played a good game. We just got to continue to execute and be sharper.”
GRIZZLIES
Coach Taylor Jenkins:
Ja Morant:
Desmond Bane: