Victor Wembanyama scored 32 points on 13-of-18 shooting as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Chicago Bulls 124-119 at the United Center on Wednesday night, stretching their winning streak to 10 games and keeping their unbeaten road record intact. The Spurs trailed by plenty early, then took control in the fourth quarter behind their 7ft 4in superstar.
The Bulls, 1-8 and losers of seven straight, produced their best first quarter of the season, shooting 17-of-20 from the field for 41 points and building a big early lead. But the Spurs, who entered the night 9-2 and second in the Western Conference, steadily reeled Chicago in, and rode Wembanyama in the fourth quarter to a lead as large as 15 points before closing out the win.
Wembanyama is playing at another level
Wembanyama arrived in Chicago fresh from scoring 40 points in just 25 minutes at Phoenix on 15-of-19 shooting, and he is now averaging 30.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game this season. Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter called him a player who will change the game, and Chicago simply had no answer for him in the paint — the Bulls have allowed the third-most points in the paint per game this season and rank last in the league defensively, conceding 129.3 points per game.
San Antonio’s supporting cast has been just as important to the 10-2 start. Dylan Harper is averaging 18.0 points and 4.4 assists per game, and the Spurs’ 15.46 SRS rating and 11.8 net rating both rank among the league’s best. The Spurs are 6-0 on the road and have not lost since October 24.
Wilson injury adds to Bulls’ misery
The night got worse for Chicago when rookie Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 overall pick, left in the third quarter with a right-hand injury sustained while trying to guard Wembanyama. Wilson, who had entered the game questionable with hip tightness, was ruled out shortly afterwards. He had 15 points, five rebounds and a steal in roughly 15 minutes before departing, and his status is now a concern for a Bulls team that hosts the Hawks on Friday in its most winnable game in weeks. The Spurs and Lakers put their streaks on the line on Wednesday night, and the Knicks routed the Bucks 117-85 as Towns extended his double-double run.
