Preseason Thriller: Wembanyama Shines with 22+7 as Spurs Edge Out Jazz in Overtime — Garcia Dominates Extra Period with 20 Points

On October 11 (Beijing time), the San Antonio Spurs hosted the Utah Jazz in a thrilling preseason matchup. Both teams were without key players—Fox and Markkanen—while Spurs’ rookie No. 2 pick Harper made his much-anticipated debut. But the spotlight once again belonged to Victor Wembanyama, who exploded for 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists in under 16 minutes, leading San Antonio to a commanding 17-point halftime advantage. The Jazz, however, mounted a fierce second-half comeback behind a balanced team effort, erasing the deficit and even taking a 7-point lead in the fourth quarter. The closing minutes turned into a dramatic exchange of big plays—George buried a crucial three-pointer to force overtime after Garcia’s buzzer-beater narrowly missed. In the extra period, Garcia took complete control, scoring repeatedly to guide the Spurs to a hard-fought 134–130 overtime victory and their third consecutive preseason win. Wembanyama led the Spurs with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, followed by Garcia with 20 points, Vassell with 18, Umude with 13, and Keldon Johnson contributing 11 points and 5 rebounds. For Utah, Sensabaugh scored a game-high 26 points, while Bailey and Clayton each added 20, George flirted with a triple-double with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, and Hendricks chipped in 15 points. The game opened evenly, with both sides trading early runs. Wembanyama’s early spark gave San Antonio a narrow 34–30 lead after the first quarter. The young star then dominated the second quarter with a stunning 12 points and 4 rebounds, including a 10-point burst in just three minutes that helped the Spurs pull away 72–55 by halftime. With Wembanyama resting the entire second half, San Antonio’s offensive flow slowed, allowing Utah to rally. The Jazz outscored the Spurs 35–23 in the third quarter, cutting the gap to five heading into the fourth. Utah’s momentum continued as they surged ahead 110–103 midway through the final period, but the Spurs refused to fold. Bryant and Umude buried clutch three-pointers, and Garcia’s aggressive drives reignited the offense. The closing sequence turned into a back-and-forth duel—Garcia’s dunk tied the game, George’s free throws gave Utah a brief edge, and Garcia responded again to force overtime at 122–122. In the extra session, the Spurs’ energy proved decisive. Umude scored the opening basket, Bryant blocked a key shot, and Garcia sealed the win with a combination of layups, a three-point play, and calm free throws down the stretch. The Spurs prevailed 134–130 in an entertaining overtime battle, showcasing Wembanyama’s brilliance, Garcia’s leadership, and San Antonio’s growing confidence heading into the new season.