The San Antonio Spurs will continue to adapt to the absence of star center Victor Wembanyama when they square off against the surging Detroit Pistons on Friday in Austin, Texas.
It will be the second of two games in two nights for the Spurs in their home away from home in the Texas capital. San Antonio beat the Phoenix Suns 120-109 on Thursday just hours after it was announced that Wembanyama would be out for the rest of the season with deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) in his right shoulder.
“It was tough more than anything, I think, for all of us, knowing how much (Wembanyama) means to the game and how much he loves to play,” San Antonio guard Chris Paul said. “You keep things in perspective as far as life and what it means. But when the game comes around … we’ve got a job to do. We’re all going to try to figure this thing out as we go.”
De’Aaron Fox scored 26 points on Thursday, including 11 straight for the Spurs in the final 3:18.
Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie added 15 points each off the bench for San Antonio. Paul logged 13 points and 10 assists as the Spurs won for the second time in three games.
It might take a little time for the Spurs to find their collective bearings with Wembanyama out. The second-year big man scored 30 or more 12 times this season, led the league with 176 blocked shots and had a team-best 27 double-doubles.
“Obviously, one person is not going to be able maintain the production Vic gave us, so we have to come together and do it together,” Fox said. “We come out here to win every game. We know we have to go on a run if we (want to) get into the play-in or the playoffs.”
The Spurs are optimistic about Wembanyama’s long-term health and said they expect the 21-year-old Frenchman to play next season.
“There is no concern for Victor’s health personally (long term) or his basketball activities,” San Antonio acting coach Mitch Johnson said.
The Pistons head to Austin for their first game in nine days, since before the All-Star break. Detroit went to the break in style, winning in Chicago on back-to-back nights — the latter a 128-110 victory behind a game-high 29 points from Cade Cunningham.
Ausar Thompson and Tobias Harris had 19 points apiece for the Pistons, while Jalen Duren racked up 16 points and 14 rebounds in that victory.
The Pistons have won four straight games and begin the final third of the season at 29-26 and in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. It was the first time since 2009 that Detroit entered the All-Star break with a winning record.
Detroit coach J.B. Bickerstaff said Thursday that the All-Star break gave his team a chance to recharge for the last part of the campaign.
“It’s good mentally and physically for everyone to take a step back and take a moment to reflect on where we are,” Bickerstaff said. “Put a plan in place on where we need to move forward. As the level of competition rises, mentality focus has to rise. (The rest of the season) is going to be a great challenge for us, and we are looking forward to it. …
“The guys are excited, but they have been excited all year.”
The contest in Austin will be the first meeting of the teams this season. The Spurs, who won twice against the Pistons last season, will visit Detroit on March 25 to complete the season series.
