NBA: Victor Wembanyama's all-around effort carries Spurs past Pistons

Victor Wembanyama poured in 38 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and blocked five shots as the San Antonio Spurs opened a six-game homestand with a 121-106 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Thursday.

The Spurs notched their second straight win and their 13th victory in the past 14 games, including two against the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons. San Antonio, currently second in the Western Conference, set the tone early by building a 19-point lead in the first half and going into the break ahead 71-55.

Detroit briefly cut the deficit to eight points on a technical free throw by Cade Cunningham at the end of the third quarter, but the Spurs regained control. Dylan Harper's dunk pushed San Antonio's lead to 105-90 with 6:28 remaining, and the Pistons never got closer than 10 points the rest of the way.

De'Aaron Fox contributed 29 points for the Spurs, while Julian Champagnie added 16, and Stephen Castle finished with 11 points and 12 assists.

Cunningham led Detroit with 26 points, followed by Isaiah Stewart with 18. Duncan Robinson and Tobias Harris each scored 11 points, while Ronald Holland II and Javonte Green had 10 apiece. Ausar Thompson left the game in the first quarter with a sprained right ankle and did not return.

The Spurs came out strong, taking a 10-2 lead on a Fox 3-pointer and extending the margin to 17 points after another Fox three late in the opening period. Fox finished the first quarter with 16 points, and Wembanyama added 12.

Detroit fought back in the second quarter, drawing within nine points twice before San Antonio regained a 17-point lead on Fox’s running layup with 8:19 left until halftime. Wembanyama added two free throws to push the lead to 71-52, but a Harris 3-pointer brought the Pistons to 71-55 at the break.

Wembanyama led all scorers with 24 points in the first half, while Fox added 22. Stewart paced Detroit with 12 first-half points, and Cunningham contributed 11.

The Spurs’ win keeps their momentum rolling as they continue their homestand, while the Pistons drop their second straight game after an 8-1 stretch.

—Field Level Media/Reuters