San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson highlighted Victor Wembanyama’s second-half performance after Saturday’s 100-95 win over the Boston Celtics at TD Garden.
“Yes, I think if he was under control, he is so dynamic when he has the ball. He can dictate the tempo or pace of the game,” Johnson said, noting Wembanyama’s ability to shake off double teams and influence the game late.
Johnson highlighted Wembanyama’s growth as a 21-year-old adapting to extended playing time. “Sometimes he tries to do something about it right away. It’s just an opportunity for further growth for him and obviously I thought when it mattered most, he was at his best.”
The Spurs coach also praised Julian Champagnie’s all-round efforts. “Julian epitomized what we were trying to do: put our energy in the right places and not allow results or shots to dictate that energy,” he said.
Johnson focused on coaching adjustments during high-pressure moments. “In the fourth, the game got a little hectic… you could see where the tank was getting low. We probably could have called a timeout to keep them under control, but in those situations they have to play through it.”
The game featured a major lineup adjustment, with Luke Kornet providing consistent rim protection. Johnson explained: “It’s very valuable when you have a good team with players who have a lot of talent and someone who is constantly filling in the blanks where you need them to be, and he does that for us in many different ways, which allows us to be very creative.”
Wembanyama sealed the Spurs victory with a left jumper with 19.2 seconds left and finished with 21 points, including 16 after halftime. De’Aaron Fox added 21 points and played a crucial defensive role down the stretch, while Keldon Johnson recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The Celtics, led by Derrick White’s 29 points and Jaylen Brown’s 27, struggled against San Antonio’s size and defensive pressure, hitting just four free throws in the fourth quarter and finishing 0.5% behind the Spurs in rebounds, 52–53.
The Spurs improved to 27-11 and earned their second straight win after a two-game skid, while Boston fell to 25-13. San Antonio continues its road swing Sunday at Minnesota, and the Celtics travel to Indiana on Monday.
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