Keldon Johnson’s steal and score caps Spurs’ comeback vs. Suns

Andrew LopezESPNNov 1, 2023, 03:24 AM ET4 Minute Read

PHOENIX — The San Antonio Spurs’ rising star, Keldon Johnson, displayed his determination and skill as he made a crucial play to secure a stunning victory against the Phoenix Suns.

In the closing seconds of the game, with the Suns holding a slim one-point lead, Johnson seized an opportunity to turn the tide. As Suns guard Josh Okogie passed the ball to Kevin Durant, Johnson dove out of bounds, desperate to make a difference.

Spurs guard Tre Jones prevented Durant from advancing, hoping for a foul. Sensing the urgency, Johnson swiftly reentered the play, snatched the ball from Durant’s hands, and drove to the basket, laying it in with just 1.2 seconds remaining. The Spurs now held a one-point advantage, leaving Durant with little time for a clean shot.

In a remarkable comeback, the Spurs completed a 20-point turnaround, emerging with a 115-114 victory that left the Suns stunned and perplexed.

Johnson, reflecting on the pivotal moment, shared, “When I saw Tre had him cornered, I thought, ‘Let’s make a play.’ The worst-case scenario was a foul and free throws for them. But we needed to take action with time running out. So my focus was on making a play on the ball and, from there, finishing it.”

However, the Suns had a different perspective on the decisive steal.

“They fouled him. The refs didn’t call it,” Suns coach Frank Vogel lamented in his post-game interview. “They hit his arm before the ball was ripped away, but there was no call. In a situation like that, we wanted to get the ball to our 90% free throw shooter. And we did. But it didn’t turn out as planned.”

Vogel explained that the team chose not to use a timeout because the inbounds pass from Okogie to Durant was designed as a “safe only” play. Okogie was instructed to pass to Durant only if the opportunity presented itself without risk, but unfortunately, Johnson’s steal disrupted their plans.

When informed of Vogel’s foul claim, Durant conceded that he needed to hold onto the ball better.

“I anticipated the trap,” Durant admitted. “But that was beyond my control. I was trying to make a play, but everything happened so quickly. I should have held onto it.”

In the fourth quarter, Wembanyama, Johnson, and Devin Vassell demonstrated their offensive prowess, combining for 25 points. Vassell’s attempted game-tying 3-pointer led to Wembanyama’s clutch putback.

Vassell described the victory, which followed a 40-point loss to the LA Clippers, as “momentous.”

“It really showcased our resilience throughout the entire game,” Vassell emphasized. “It wasn’t pretty; we were down by 20 at one point. But as a young team, we fought relentlessly, driven by our hunger and determination.”

Phoenix had held a commanding 20-point lead in the third quarter. However, the Spurs slowly chipped away, closing the gap during the final minutes with an 18-7 surge to secure the win.

Vassell credited Johnson, who led the game with an impressive 27 points, for igniting the Spurs and preventing a repeat of their disappointing performance on Sunday.

“We were stagnant until he stepped up,” Vassell acknowledged. “He infused the energy we desperately needed. Keldon Johnson sometimes goes unnoticed, but he’s an absolute force. He really propelled us in the second half.”

This victory marked an astounding milestone for legendary coach Gregg Popovich. With the win, he achieved his 1,652nd combined victory in the regular season and playoffs as the Spurs’ coach. According to Elias Sports Bureau research, it was the first time in Popovich’s head-coaching career that his team trailed by three points in the final 10 seconds of the fourth quarter and ended up winning in regulation.

Additionally, the game served as the debut matchup between Wembanyama and Durant.

Durant showcased his superior skills on several occasions, even when guarded by the rookie. At the end of the first quarter, with the crowd buzzing at Footprint Center, Durant executed a remarkable fadeaway jumper over the outstretched arms of Wembanyama, leaving no doubt about his remarkable talent.

Recognizing Wembanyama’s potential, Durant praised him as a “unique player.”

“He’s going to be a force in this league for a long time,” Durant noted. “Once he gains more experience, he’ll only get better.”

Wembanyama, who contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks for the Spurs, humbly acknowledged Durant’s prowess and expressed his desire to learn from the seasoned veteran.

“I realized that I still have much to master in the game compared to him,” Wembanyama admitted. “I tried to emulate some of his moves, but perhaps I lack the patience. He sets his own pace and finds his spots. I think I should be inspired by that, rather than trying to copy it outright.”