The San Antonio Spurs closed strong Thursday night at Frost Bank Center, overcoming a halftime deficit to edge the Phoenix Suns 101-100 in a one-point finish. San Antonio trailed by seven at the break and was still down entering the fourth quarter, but a 28-21 final period helped the Spurs complete the comeback behind a standout performance from Victor Wembanyama.
Quarter-by-quarter breakdown
First Quarter: Phoenix set the early pace and took a 26-24 lead after one. The Suns were slightly sharper offensively in the opening 12 minutes, while San Antonio stayed within reach and kept the game from getting away early.
Second Quarter: The Suns put together their best scoring stretch of the night in the second, outscoring the Spurs 33-28. That gave Phoenix a 59-52 halftime advantage, with the visitors generating offense consistently and building control through the middle portion of the half.
Third Quarter: San Antonio began to shift the momentum after halftime. The Spurs won the third 21-20, trimming the deficit to 79-73 entering the fourth. It was not a dramatic swing on the scoreboard, but it kept the pressure on Phoenix and set up a competitive finish.
Fourth Quarter: The Spurs delivered their best quarter when it mattered most, outscoring the Suns 28-21 over the final 12 minutes. San Antonio pieced together the late push needed to erase the deficit and narrowly hold off Phoenix, completing the comeback in regulation.
Key performers
San Antonio Spurs:
Victor Wembanyama led all scorers with 34 points and added 12 rebounds and 3 steals, anchoring the Spurs on both ends. Dylan Harper paced San Antonio in playmaking with 5 assists. As a team, the Spurs shot 42.2% from the field, made 21 of 23 free throws, and finished with 23 assists.
Phoenix Suns:
Collin Gillespie led Phoenix with 24 points and 6 assists. Jalen Green grabbed a team-high 8 rebounds, while Oso Ighodaro finished with 7 assists. The Suns collected 47 rebounds and 27 assists, but their edge in those categories was not enough to secure the road win.
Game analysis
This game turned on execution in the final quarter. Phoenix did a lot well over the first three periods, including winning the rebounding battle 47-42 and finishing with more assists than San Antonio, 27-23. The Suns also attempted more field goals, 91 to 83, which reflected their ability to extend possessions and stay active on the glass.
But San Antonio made up the difference in key efficiency areas. The Spurs were excellent at the free-throw line, going 21-for-23 compared with Phoenix’s 13-for-17. In a one-point game, that gap was decisive. San Antonio also took care of enough scoring opportunities late to complete the comeback, even while shooting just 29.4% from three-point range.
For Phoenix, the missed opportunity came in the fourth quarter, when a solid three-quarter performance gave way to a quieter closing stretch. The Suns entered the final period with a six-point lead but were unable to match San Antonio’s late-game production. Wembanyama’s scoring presence gave the Spurs a steady option as they worked back in front.
The crowd of 18,648 at Frost Bank Center saw a game that stayed competitive throughout, and the Spurs responded with the kind of finish that has defined many close wins over the course of a strong season.
Closing context
The win moved San Antonio to 52-18 overall and 27-7 at home, reinforcing its position near the top of the Western Conference standings. For Phoenix, the loss dropped the Suns to 39-31 and 17-18 on the road, a result that could matter in a tight postseason race. With the regular season winding down, this was the type of narrow outcome that may carry added weight for both teams.
