Wembanyama’s game-winner sends Spurs to the NBA playoffs
Victor Wembanyama hits the decisive shot with 1.1 seconds left, sending the Spurs back to the playoffs after six years. A dominant performance that confirms his superstar status
The San Antonio Spurs are finally back where the franchise is used to being: the NBA playoffs. And they did it in the most spectacular way possible, thanks to a game-winner from Victor Wembanyama that sealed a massive win over the Phoenix Suns.
In front of a sold-out Frost Bank Center, the French phenom knocked down the game-winning shot with 1.1 seconds left, delivering a 101-100 victory and snapping a six-season playoff drought.
Wembanyama’s game-winner
With 9.7 seconds on the clock, the ball found Victor Wembanyama. Set defense, maximum pressure. One dribble, a sidestep, then a fadeaway from 15 feet over Oso Ighodaro.
Result: nothing but net.
A far-from-routine shot, especially considering the context. Up to that point, Wembanyama had missed all previous go-ahead attempts in the final five seconds of the fourth quarter and overtime.
We know it’s almost never going to be an open shot. In these situations, you have to wait. If you shoot too early, you give the defense time to react. Better to get it down to one or two seconds
Victor Wembanyama
His stat line speaks for itself: 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 steals, dominating on both ends of the floor.
It marked his 11th game this season with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds, placing him among the league’s elite – and for the Spurs, a level of production not seen this frequently since Tim Duncan (13 games in 2003-04).
Not just a trivial detail: it means stepping into franchise history.
Chaotic ending: wine spill, fan contact, and full celebration
After the game-winner, in the chaos of getting back on defense, Victor Wembanyama collided with a courtside fan who spilled red wine on his shorts. A surreal moment that added to the tension of the scene.
There were so many things going on around me: the fans, the wine on me… for a moment I didn’t even see my teammates coming
Victor Wembanyama
At the buzzer, a desperate attempt by Devin Booker came up short. Then came the celebration: arms raised, a roaring crowd, and MVP chants led by Keldon Johnson.
He deserves all of this. He’s playing at that level. He’s our reference point
Keldon Johnson
A true team comeback
The win wasn’t just about the final shot. The San Antonio Spurs trailed for most of the game, by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter.
But down the stretch, everything changed:
- 7 points from Victor Wembanyama
- 9 points from De’Aaron Fox (23 total)
A 16-5 run to flip the game.
We were down basically the whole time. But in the last few minutes, we took control
De’Aaron Fox
His contribution was also crucial on the final play, suggesting the ideal spacing to prevent help defense and clear the isolation for Wembanyama.
A new identity: the Spurs mean business
Perhaps the most impressive stat is another one: 20 wins and 2 losses since early February, the best record in the NBA over that span.
After years of struggles, San Antonio has rediscovered competitiveness and identity, ending the longest playoff drought in franchise history.
I’m happy for the city and the organization. Being part of this process is something special
Mitch Johnson
The message is clear: the San Antonio Spurs are no longer a rebuilding team.
With a generational talent like Victor Wembanyama – already delivering in clutch moments – the future is already here.
And now, the playoffs.