A Bam buzzer-beater downs the Wemby-less Spurs

Spurs fought back time-and-time again until there was no seconds left on the clock.
The Victor Wembanyama-less San Antonio Spurs fell to the Miami Heat 105-103 courtesy of a Bam Adebayo buzzer beater.
Charles Bassey who got the start for Victor Wembanyama made his presence known early with 4 points, 4 rebounds and a block in his first quarter stint. The Spurs were missing almost 25 points of offense with their franchise player out, so it was Devin Vassell who took it upon himself to step up. Showing an aggressive approach in the opening twelve minutes getting to his spots and getting downhill into the paint. Then just like in the first game of the back-to-back it was a Keldon Johnson barrage off the bench that helped lift the Spurs to a thirty-three point first quarter.
In the second quarter, Miami pulled out their vaunted zone which stagnated the Spurs offense and helped the Heat go on a 8-0 run to take a commanding lead. The home team countered by running in transition and not allowing the Heat to setup their defense. The second-half of the quarter was all about the three-point shot with both teams heating up from the outside, trading triples and driving-and-kicking at will.
The third quarter got off to a frantic start with almost five minutes of no stoppages that resulted in a bunch of misses and tired bodies all over the place. Neither team could get into much of a rhythm until a few defensive breakdowns from the Spurs allowed the Heat to get some open looks at three which they converted to break open the game at a double-digit advantage. But just like they did in the first-half when the visitors went on a run, the Spurs responded accordingly. They finished the quarter on a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to just three points heading into the fourth.
The final frame was defense heavy with both teams having to grind for every dribble let alone every shot. For most of the final three quarters, the Heat stuck to their 2-3 zone as it was causing the Spurs multiple headaches, that was until Sandro Mamukelashvilli found a way to break it. Mamu’s ability to move without the basketball, find open creases and knockdown big shots gave the Spurs life as they took the lead with just over five minutes to play. This would be the last time the home team would score for nearly four minutes as Miami ramped up the defensive intensity and forced the Spurs to make tough shots. The Heat led by four with ninety seconds to play and this is when San Antonio’s veteran leader Chris Paul took charge and scored four consecutive points to tie the game up. Then after the visitors had multiple chances on one possession to take the lead the Spurs and CP3 ended up with the ball with under thirty seconds to play. Paul got to his spot in the midrange, a shot he has hit thousands of times before, but this time the ball just didn’t fall and Miami grabbed the rebound and called a timeout with just three seconds left to play. From there, Bam Adebayo who was arguably playing his best game of the season got the ball at the top of the arc before taking a couple of dribbles and nailing a two-point shot for the win at the buzzer.
Play of the game
Could we be seeing a preview of the Slam Dunk Contest?
MY GOOOOODNESS pic.twitter.com/h1Nun5LPlp
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 2, 2025
Game notes
- Wemby Woes: When the Spurs initially put out their injury report earlier in the morning, Wembanyama was not on it and was expected to play. But a few hours prior to tip-off, Victor was placed as questionable due to an illness. It was not long after that the 7’5 center was ruled out for the contest. This was Vic’s sixth missed game of the season and hopefully for all parties it is just a one-game absence and he will be back on Monday to start the Rodeo Road Trip.
- Vassell Giveth, Vassell Taketh: Devin Vassell who has been under a constant microscope this season from Spurs fans and was expected to take another step in his development has struggled to find his shot as of late. Tonight, with no Wemby was a good chance for him to seize control and get into a rhythm. But unfortunately it was not to be, although it was not for a lack of trying. From the beginning of the game Dev was aggressive trying to be the scorer the Spurs needed to win this game, but for the most part the shots just didn’t fall. Vassell ended with 18 points on 8/22 shooting and 1/10 from three.
- Goodbyes: This time of year as an NBA fan you should expect the unexpected, and with all the rumours swirling around the Spurs that could be more true than usual. With the trade deadline only five days away and San Antonio heading on their Rodeo Road Trip it dawns on you that some Spurs could have just played their final home game for the Silver & Black.
Next game: @ Memphis on Monday
The Spurs kick-start their Rodeo Road Trip with a matchup against their Southwest rivals the Memphis Grizzlies.