Jeremy Sochan's outstanding performance leads Spurs to victory vs Suns

The San Antonio Spurs are pumped up following their 104-102 victory against the Phoenix Suns on Monday night at the Frost Bank Center. This win follows a 25-point defeat to the Suns on Saturday, during which Victor Wembanyama was part of the lineup. However, with Wembanyama sidelined for Monday's game, Jeremy Sochan took charge, scoring 26 points and grabbing 18 rebounds to lead the team.

Following the game, Coach Pop expressed admiration for Sochan's defensive prowess.


Anticipated to be less focused due to Wembanyama's absence, the Phoenix Suns appeared unprepared in the early stages. They exhibited lackluster offense, settling for poor shots, and displayed weak defensive rotations. Conversely, the Spurs, initially somewhat disorganized, showcased intensity on both ends of the court, with Sochan leading the charge. Vassell provided timely scoring in half-court situations, while transition opportunities abounded for San Antonio, capitalizing on turnovers and missed shots. Despite an uptick in effort from the Suns' bench players, they failed to match the Spurs' energy. By the end of the first quarter, the Spurs held a deserved seven-point lead.


At a critical juncture, the Suns appeared poised to rally. Coach Frank Vogel's lineup adjustments aimed to counter Durant's impact, yet the Spurs managed to respond effectively. As the game progressed, the absence of Sochan and Vassell posed challenges for the Spurs on both ends. Phoenix surged ahead with a 15-0 run, threatening to pull away. However, with the return of Vassell and Sochan, the Spurs intensified their defense, exploiting opportunities in transition and inside. Despite the Suns' resurgence in the second quarter, they only held a slim three-point lead at halftime.

Traditionally, games between a strong team and a depleted opponent see the former eventually assert dominance. While Durant excelled, the Spurs refused to relent, relying on inside scoring and timely shots from Vassell to stay competitive. With Durant resting, Phoenix struggled offensively, allowing the Spurs, led by Keldon Johnson, to close the gap.

Entering the fourth quarter, the Suns remained disoriented, allowing the Spurs to seize a nine-point lead. Devin Booker's heroics kept the Suns in contention, but their lack of urgency hindered their efforts. Despite the potential for stars like Durant and Booker to take over, the Suns' defensive lapses and fatigue became evident.

In a closely contested finish, Sochan, despite previous struggles from beyond the arc, drained a crucial three-pointer to put the Spurs ahead. With stout defense in the final possession, the Spurs secured victory, avenging their previous defeat to the Suns.

The victory in this game ensured the Spurs clinched the season series win after splitting the two-game series played in San Antonio. Previously, in late October and early November, the Spurs secured two wins against the same opponent in Phoenix.


Defeating a playoff-bound team like the Suns three times in four meetings this season indicates positive momentum in San Antonio. While the team may not have fully assembled all components yet, progress is evident, suggesting potential growth and development ahead.

Next, the Spurs will face the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City tomorrow night. The game is set to tip off at 8 p.m. CT.

Source Sports Illustrated : Spurs' Gregg Popovich Praises Jeremy Sochan's Defense on Kevin Durant
Source Pounding The Rock : Jeremy Sochan's career night propels Wemby-less Spurs past Suns