{"id":479073,"date":"2026-10-28T07:56:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T07:56:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/479073\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T07:56:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T07:56:09","slug":"3-takeaways-as-wembanyama-and-the-spurs-get-right-vs-sacramento-kings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/479073\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Takeaways as Wembanyama and the Spurs get right vs. Sacramento Kings"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks the ball during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n

The oldest player on the Spurs\u2019 active roster went zipping through the lane in garbage time Tuesday, soaring for a surprising dunk that got everyone else on the bench up and cheering.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Harrison Barnes\u2019 out-of-nowhere slam not only put the finishing touches on the Spurs\u2019 130-103 demolition of the woeful Sacramento Kings at the Frost Bank Center.<\/p>\n

Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n

It also drew the appreciation of one Victor Wembanyama.<\/p>\n

\u201cI stood up so quick I started getting dizzy,\u201d Wembanyama said.<\/p>\n

Having slogged through a sluggish 1-2 start to the season, the defending Western Conference champs discovered the best way to get back to feeling like themselves.<\/p>\n

It involves scheduling the Sacramento Kings.<\/p>\n

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Wembanyama went for 29 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks, Julian Champagnie supplied eight 3-pointers and 26 points off the bench and the Spurs rolled to their most lopsided win of the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery game has gotten a little bit better,\u201d said coach Mitch Johnson, whose team has won two in a row after beginning 0-2. \u201cI thought they came to play tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Give the 0-4 Kings credit for being a willing participant of their own demise.<\/p>\n

Domantas Sabonis tallied 20 points and 14 rebounds, DeAndre Hunter scored 24 and Zach LaVine chipped in 22.<\/p>\n

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None of that was remotely enough to get the Kings within sniffing distance of their first victory of the season.<\/p>\n

The Spurs led 80-54 at half and by as many as 27 points in the second half. Scoreboard aside, the Spurs were most interested in their own improvement.<\/p>\n

\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) celebrates a win during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Kings<\/p>\n

Kings center Domantas (11) looks to shoot guarded by Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs players cheer from the bench during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Kings<\/p>\n

Kings guard Daeqwon Plowden (29) and Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) reach for a loose ball during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) reacts after dunking during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) shoots the ball during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs guard De\u2019Aaron Fox (4) and Kings guard Emanuel Sharp (34) chase a loose ball during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks the ball during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) and Kings forward Precious Achiuwa (9) fight for the ball during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to his shot during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks the ball during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Kings<\/p>\n

Kings guard Emanuel Sharp (34) shoots the ball guarded by Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Fans<\/p>\n

Fans watch during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) looks to pass during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) drunks the ball during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) reacts to his shot during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots the ball guarded by Kings forward Precious Achiuwa (9) during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) passes the ball during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) fights for a loose ball from Kings center Domantas (11) during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Kings<\/p>\n

Kings center Domantas (11) looks to shoot guarded by Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) covers his mouth after a shot during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether the ball is going through the hoop or not, our standard stays the same,\u201d\u00a0Champagnie said. \u201cWe came out and did exactly what we were supposed to do. We played exactly how we want to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Here are three takeaways from Tuesday\u2019s victory, which evened the Spurs\u2019 record at 2-2 heading into a Wednesday showdown at Utah:<\/p>\n

1. Wembanyama enjoys a dunk-a-thon<\/p>\n

Throughout an up-and-down start to the season for Wembanyama, Spurs coaches and teammates have talked about the need to make their All-Star center\u2019s life easier on the offensive end.<\/p>\n

One number summed up how successful the Spurs were in that endeavor Tuesday.<\/p>\n

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\"Spurs<\/p>\n

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks the ball during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026.<\/p>\n

Andrew J. Whitaker\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n

That\u2019s how many dunks Wembanyama registered against the Kings, equaling a career single-game high.<\/p>\n

For comparison, the 7-foot-4 center had totaled 10 dunks in his first three games.<\/p>\n

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Within the first 2:19 Tuesday, Wembanyama had scored a pair of baskets on lob passes from De\u2019Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.<\/p>\n

To hear Wembanyama tell it, the Spurs would love to start every game this way.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe always try to do it,\u201d Wembanyama said. \u201cIt\u2019s the most efficient shot in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n

That idea doesn\u2019t always work out well. It did Tuesday.<\/p>\n

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Wemby on all of his lob dunks versus the Kings https:\/\/t.co\/rMdHz8Nl3s<\/p>\n

\u2014 Spurs Nation (@Spurs_Nation) October 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

In all, 24 of Wembanyama\u2019s 29 points against Sacramento came at the rim.<\/p>\n

It was a far cry from Wembanyama\u2019s previous performance at the Frost Bank Center, when he went a career-worst 1-of-13 from the field in the Spurs\u2019 season-opening loss to Oklahoma City.<\/p>\n

How did the Spurs make Wembanyama\u2019s life easier?<\/p>\n

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\u201cBetter spacing, cleaner execution, he continued to roll and trust it and allow his teammates to make him better at times,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cAnd on the other end they rewarded him in that.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. Champagnie threatens own 3-point mark<\/p>\n

By halftime Tuesday, Champagnie had turned in a curious box score.<\/p>\n

Eight made 3-pointers. Two airballs.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHey listen,\u201d Champagnie said. \u201cI\u2019ll take eight makes and two airballs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Champagnie six 3-pointers during a sizzling second quarter tied a Spurs record. His eight 3-pointers in the first half, meanwhile, matched his own record set last New Year\u2019s Eve against New York.<\/p>\n

His teammates kept finding him for open looks. He kept knocking them down.<\/p>\n

Julian Champagnie had a big night from 3. Why? He says it\u2019s his teammates. Also he believes in heat checks \u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/CSjnQqRaYp<\/p>\n

\u2014 Spurs Nation (@Spurs_Nation) October 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

By game\u2019s end, Champagnie couldn\u2019t quite reach the lofty heights he did that night against the Knicks, when he finished with a club-record 11 3-pointers. He went 0 of 3 from beyond the arc in the second half Tuesday to finish 8 of 13.<\/p>\n

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It was all part of the Spurs\u2019 best 3-point shooting night of the season, as they made 17 of 37 from long range.<\/p>\n

Through the first three games, Johnson maintained that the team\u2019s process for generating clean shots beyond the arc remained sound. The Spurs just weren\u2019t hitting enough of them.<\/p>\n

That all changed Tuesday, with the Spurs\u2019 shooters following Champagnie\u2019s lead.<\/p>\n

3. Rookie guard keeps firing for Kings\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Sacramento rookie Darius Acuff Jr. entered Tuesday chasing a record of his own.<\/p>\n

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Whether that was a good thing or bad thing is in the eye of the beholder.<\/p>\n

Acuff, selected 7th overall in the June draft, came into the contest having launched 73 field-goal attempts, the most in NBA history for a first-year player in his first three games. The previous mark of 64 was set by Kevin Durant in 2006-07, when he played for Seattle.<\/p>\n

Before the game, Kings coach Doug Christie described Acuff as \u201cunflappable\u201d and \u201cthe ultimate competitor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not ducking anything, that\u2019s for sure,\u201d Christie said.<\/p>\n

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Acuff got up another 20 shot attempts against the Spurs, extending his own record for most 20-shot games to open a career to four.\u00a0There are those in NBA circles who question the wisdom of letting a rookie get his feet wet in league by shot chucking.<\/p>\n

Acuff\u2019s heavy shot diet hasn\u2019t exactly resulted in wins for the Kings. He has not been the paragon of efficiency, either.<\/p>\n

The 19-year-old guard went 8 of 20 on Tuesday for 19 points, bringing his season shooting percentage to 32.9%.<\/p>\n

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It is already shaping up to be a long season in Sacramento. Acuff could provide plenty of highlights.<\/p>\n

It is worth wondering whether the shot-heavy approach the Kings are pushing will hinder the youngster\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks the ball during the NBA game against the Sacramento Kings at Frost…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":479074,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[82,84,83],"class_list":["post-479073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-antonio","tag-san-antonio","tag-san-antonio-headlines","tag-san-antonio-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/479073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=479073"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/479073\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/479074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=479073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=479073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=479073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}