Spurs rally late to edge Kings, 127-125, behind Wembanyama's ...

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Victor Wembanyama posted a stellar 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists for his first triple-double of the season, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 127-125 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

The win marked the Spurs' fifth in their last six games as they continue their strong stretch of play.

Devin Vassell added 21 points off the bench for San Antonio. Chris Paul finished with 13 points.

DeMar DeRozan had 28 points to lead the Kings, who led by 17 points in the first quarter and were up 65-58 at halftime.

After a slow start that saw the Kings jump out to a dominant 42-point first quarter and a 17-point lead, the Spurs showed resilience.

One issue that’s plagued the Spurs this season is their inability to get off to fast starts. Acting head coach Mitch Johnson voiced his frustrations after the game, describing his team's opening stretch.

I think, felt like we're sleepwalking a little bit at the start of the game,” said Johnson. “Didn't feel much physicality or resistance on defense, and they're obviously a very talented team. But I thought we could've done a better job of just making them work for some stuff, and I think we picked it up there in the second and the fourth quarter, and it was a big difference.

Much of the spotlight has been on the Spurs' 7-foot-4 star, Victor Wembanyama, whose slow starts this season have raised questions. With the offense running through him and his presence anchoring the defense, his sluggish beginnings have a ripple effect on the team’s performance.

Johnson was candid about Wembanyama's struggles in the first three quarters.

"I thought he had some rough moments in terms of fundamentals," the coach said. "But it speaks to him that he was able to lock in and turn it around."

The Spurs sparked a 19-7 run to take the lead in the third quarter, but the Kings fought back to hold a 97-92 advantage heading into the final frame. Wembanyama was clutch in the fourth, knocking down five 3-pointers and scoring 13 points. With San Antonio leading by two in the final seconds, Paul hit a pivotal 3-pointer with 20 seconds left to put Sacramento back on top.

Despite his ups and downs, Wembanyama’s growth is a constant theme in San Antonio, with his teammates and coaches confident he’s on the right path. Veteran forward Harrison Barnes spoke highly of the 20-year-old’s unique skill set after the win.

"Honestly, I always tell people that Vic is one of one," Barnes said. "He’s going to do it his way—he’s going to score, he’s going to rebound, he’s going to playmaker. And it's his desire to win that makes him special. You don't have to convince him that winning is the most important thing."

At just 20 years old, Wembanyama’s trajectory is reminiscent of another Spurs legend—David Robinson. Robinson was 24 when he finally debuted in the NBA after serving in the U.S. Navy, but his immediate impact led him to Rookie of the Year honors in 1990.

For Wembanyama, it's clear that he's still discovering the full extent of his potential.

"He can do everything," Johnson remarked. "When you have that many options, it’s tough to get it right every time. But we believe in him and support him as he figures out when and where to use all of his tools. In the fourth quarter, he was the man. He dominated."

Looking ahead, the Spurs are bracing for a high-stakes matchup with the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, one that could determine their fate in the NBA Cup. With just one more win needed to secure first place in Western Conference Group B, the Spurs are on the verge of advancing to the Knockout Rounds—an impressive turnaround from last season’s winless group stage.