Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (32) drives to the basket against the San Antonio Spurs forward Zach Collins (23) at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on Mon Mar 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State (34-30) Warriors were in San Antonio on Monday night to face the San Antonio Spurs (14-51). The Warriors wanted to avenge their loss to San Antonio last Saturday night in San Francisco.

The Spurs did not play two of their starters on Saturday. However, Victor Wembanyama ( 20.7 PPG, ten boards per game, and Devin Vassell (19.5 PPG) were back in the lineup.

Stephen Curry was still out with an ankle injury. The Warriors had to figure out a way to stop the Spurs—the Warriors needed players to step up to achieve that goal. The veteran point guard, Chris Paul, rose to the occasion. The Warriors’ play action in the third quarter sent them to a 112-102 win.

The Spurs started Monday night’s game the same way they started in San Francisco last Saturday night. They played well in the first quarter, shot 62% from the floor, and connected on six three as they raced out to a 10-point lead 37-27.

The Warriors’ offense came to life as they erased the deficit and tied the game 43-43. The Warriors and Spurs swapped the lead several times before the first half ended. San Antonio held a two-point advantage at the end of the first half.

Klay Thompson paced the Warrior attack with 12 points. Chris Paul had 11, Andrew Wiggins 10, and Brandin Podzienski hit three threes to finish with nine. The Spurs’ Wembanyama led his team with ten. The Warriors trailed 60-58.

.The Warriors fell behind by five, 72-67, to start the third quarter. The Warrior’s defense shut down the Spurs’ attack. Golden State went on a 23-2 run to grab a 16-point lead, 90-74. Thompson, Jonathan Kuminga, Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Podzienski. The Warriors finished the third quarter leading 90-78.

The Spurs’ Victor Wemanyama connected on two threes to keep the Spurs within striking distance. The Warriors answered every San Antonio challenge and held on to beat the Spurs 112-102.

Game Notes: The Warriors are 34-30 for the season, 15-5 in the last 20 games, and have 18 games left. San Antonio fell to 14-51. 

The Warriors had six players in double figures. Kuminga led the Warriors with22. Thompson with 21, Paul had 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Andrew Wiggins had 16, and Podzienski had 14. Podzienski also had eight rebounds. Rookie Jackson-Davis had a double-double with 13 points and ten rebounds.

Wembanyama tallied 27 points and 14 rebounds. Keldon Johnson had 16, and Zach Collins, coming off the bench, had a double-double with ten points and ten rebounds. 

The Warriors play the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday in Dallas. The game will start at 5:30 pm.