Johnson and Paul lead Spurs past Timberwolves 113-103 as Popovich misses game with illness

Keldon Johnson had 25 points, Chris Paul added 15 points and 13 assists, and nan San Antonio Spurs hit nan Minnesota Timberwolves 113-103 without coach Gregg Popovich, who missed nan crippled owed to illness

SAN ANTONIO -- Keldon Johnson had 25 points, Chris Paul added 15 points and 13 assists, and nan San Antonio Spurs hit nan Minnesota Timberwolves 113-103 connected Saturday nighttime without coach Gregg Popovich, who missed nan crippled owed to illness.

Jeremy Sochan added 19 points and 10 rebounds for San Antonio, and Victor Wembanyama had 17 points and six rebounds.

The 39-year-old Paul became nan second-oldest subordinate successful NBA history pinch 10 assists successful consecutive games. Hall of Fame constituent defender John Stockton of nan Utah Jazz accomplished nan feat astatine property 41.

Julius Randle scored 21 points and Anthony Edwards had 18 for Minnesota, playing connected nan 2nd nighttime of a back-to-back. The Timberwolves arrived astatine their edifice successful San Antonio astir 4:15 a.m. aft rallying successful nan last minutes to conclusion Denver 119-116 astatine location Friday night.

Timberwolves: Randle was 8 for 15 from nan section while attacking Wembanyama pinch a bid of drives, left-handed floaters and hook shots. Rudy Gobert went 3 for 8, getting his changeable blocked doubly by Wembanyama.

Spurs: Paul is averaging 16 points aft scoring conscionable six successful his first 2 games pinch San Antonio. Paul had his 2nd consecutive double-double, raising his profession full to 529. He is 2nd to LeBron James (575) successful double-doubles among progressive players.

San Antonio showed disconnected its blossoming protect prowess connected a bid of plays precocious successful nan first half to sphere a precarious lead. Johnson stole nan shot from Donte DiVincenzo pinch 38 seconds near successful nan 2nd quarter. The turnover led to an alley-oop dunk by Wembanyama that put nan Spurs up 62-57. Wembanyama past rushed complete to artifact Gobert astatine nan rim, swatting his attempted dunk retired of his hands and disconnected nan backboard pinch six seconds remaining.

San Antonio had 11 turnovers for nan 2nd consecutive crippled aft averaging 17.2 to commencement nan season. The Spurs had a season-high 22 turnovers successful a 105-93 nonaccomplishment to Oklahoma City connected Wednesday. Since then, San Antonio has had 22 mixed turnovers successful winning consecutive games.

The Timberwolves big Charlotte connected Monday, while nan Spurs sojourn nan Los Angeles Clippers connected Monday.

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