In a high-stakes showdown at the United Center, the San Antonio Spurs clawed back from a double-digit deficit to defeat the Chicago Bulls 121-117 on Monday night. Victor Wembanyama stole the spotlight, erupting for 38 points, including a scorching 18 in the fourth quarter, while becoming the first player ever to notch at least 35 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, five blocks, and five threes in a single game. The 7-foot-4 phenom drained crucial triples down the stretch, powering San Antonio's 32-19 fourth-quarter surge.
The Bulls, missing guard Josh Giddey due to an ankle sprain, started strong, building a 98-89 lead entering the final frame. Ayo Dosunmu led Chicago with 20 points, but their offense sputtered, shooting just 28% from the field (7-for-25) in the clutch period. Jalen Smith grabbed a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds, while Matas Buzelis added 15 points and five boards. On the Spurs' side, De'Aaron Fox contributed 21 points in his second game back, Stephon Castle dished 11 assists to go with 19 points, and Tre Jones chipped in 20 points.
San Antonio's resilience shone through, improving to 8-2 and extending their win streak to three. Chicago, now 6-4 after dropping their third straight, couldn't hold the fort despite a gritty effort at home. As the NBA season heats up, these young squads show flashes of brilliance amid the growing pains—what does this mean for their playoff pushes ahead?
