The San Antonio Spurs spent much of Wednesday night searching for their footing, trailing early and struggling to slow Houston’s tempo. By the final buzzer, they had imposed their will, turning a shaky start into a dominant 111–99 road victory over the Rockets at Toyota Center. San Ant onio overcame a double-digit first-half deficit by tightening its defense, controlling the glass, and leaning on its size in the paint. The Spurs outscored Houston 58–38 in the second half and limited the Rockets to just 13 points in the fourth quarter, sealing the win with disciplined execution and physical play. “I think it’s the job that everyone was doing around him [Wembanyama] that allowed Victor to be that impactful at the rim,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said. “We had quite a bit of crowds at the rim and we did a much better job of securing loose balls in the second half and the latter part of the game.” The Rockets dictated much of the opening half, attacking early in the shot clock and finding success from the perimeter. Houston built a lead that grew to 16 points as San Antonio struggled to contain dribble penetration and gave up second-chance opportunities. That changed after halftime. The Spurs emerged with a renewed focus on defense, shrinking the floor and forcing Houston into contested shots. San Antonio began to chip away late in the third quarter, closing the gap behind improved ball movement and a steady diet of interior scoring. “It felt like we were freaking out a bit,” Johnson said. “It felt like we didn’t settle down into the game [in the first half], but we kept our composure.” Victor Wembanyama was at the center of it all. He star finished with 28 points and 16 rebounds, anchoring the Spurs on both ends of the floor. Wembanyama repeatedly punished Houston inside, altering shots defensively while drawing fouls and creating space for teammates offensively. San Antonio’s patience paid off early in the fourth quarter. After finally taking the lead late in the third, the Spurs opened the final period with an 11–0 run that shifted momentum decisively. Defensive stops led to transition opportunities, and the Spurs capitalized by attacking the rim and controlling the pace. The Spurs’ advantage in the paint proved decisive. San Antonio consistently beat Houston to loose balls and dominated the rebounding battle, limiting the Rockets’ ability to generate second chances. As the game slowed, Houston struggled to find clean looks against San Antonio’s length and discipline. Rookie guard Dylan Harper provided a significant boost off the bench, scoring 16 points and offering energy during critical stretches. His ability to attack downhill and convert at the rim helped stabilize the Spurs’ offense when the game tightened, preventing Houston from regaining momentum. Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 25 points, showcasing his athleticism and aggressiveness throughout the night. But despite strong individual performances, Houston could not sustain its early success once San Antonio imposed its defensive structure. The Rockets committed key turnovers and endured extended scoring droughts in the fourth quarter as the Spurs closed out the game. For San Antonio, the win served as a reminder of how effective the team can be when it commits to defense and physicality. After a recent stretch marked by inconsistency, the Spurs demonstrated their ability to respond under pressure and win a tough, grind-it-out game on the road. The victory also highlighted the Spurs’ growth in late-game situations. Rather than rushing possessions or settling for contested jump shots, San Antonio remained composed, working the ball inside and trusting its defensive rotations. As the Spurs continue to navigate a competitive Western Conference, Wednesday’s performance offered a blueprint for success — defend, rebound, and let discipline dictate the outcome. Against a young and energetic Rockets team, San Antonio proved that resilience and execution can still make a difference. Game notes Charles Barkley said Stephon Castle “single handedly changed the game” for the Spurs. And if you look at the tape, he’s right. Castle was in Sengun and Kevin Durant’s business in the second half and made life difficult for him. While Durant finished with 24 points, he shot 8-for-17 and that is largely due to Castle. Can we stop with the Mitch Johnson hate? His coaching in the second half and adjustments of putting Wembanyama on Amen Thompson was a huge reason why the Spurs rallied for the win. The Spurs are 32-15 and are en route for the NBA Playoffs. He’s a huge reason why. San Antonio’s bench outscored Houston’s 38-14. Dylan Harper had a nice evening at the office with 16 points on 8-11 shooting. ...read more read less