Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs did not attempt to downplay his team’s defeat by the Houston Rockets on the road on Tuesday night, falling 114–101.
That’s just not his style. In typical Popovich style, he gave an honest assessment of the game.
According to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News, Popovich quipped after the game, “That’s what you call a royal a** whuppin’, right there.”
“They deserve a lot of credit. They were physical from the get-go ’till the end of the game…It put us in mud and we didn’t respond very well and you’ve got the outcome,” the Spurs mentor added.
After outscoring Victor Wembanyama and company in the last two quarters, Houston defeated the Spurs 67-48, to take a commanding lead in the second half. Alperen Sengum of Houston, a center, was the biggest thorn in the Spurs’ side; he scored half of his 45 points in the second half. Between Sengun and Wembanyama, who scored just 10 points but added 11 rebounds, three assists, and seven blocks, it was clear who was the greater player.
In their matchup with the Rockets, the Spurs mishandled the ball. After making mistake after mistake, San Antonio ended up with 19 turnovers in the game compared to Houston’s meager seven. Houston had 105 tries from the field compared to the Spurs’ 87, handily winning the possession battle. Games like the one against the Spurs serve as a reminder that San Antonio will need some time to regain its dominance in the NBA.
When the Spurs visit the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night, they will aim to recover.
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