Wembanyama scores 32 as Spurs rally from 22 down to beat Bulls

Victor Wembanyama scored 32 points and blocked five shots as the San Antonio Spurs rallied from 22 down to beat the Chicago Bulls 124-119 on Wednesday, November 11.

Wembanyama made 13 of 18 shots and grabbed nine rebounds in 32 minutes. San Antonio (10-2) trailed 64-42 midway through the second quarter and outscored Chicago 34-19 in the third to take control.

The comeback began late in the first half. An 11-0 Spurs run, started in the closing minutes of the second quarter and carried into the third, cut Chicago's lead to 70-63. A 10-0 burst a few minutes later tied it at 73-73.

Dylan Harper had 18 points, 10 assists and four steals. De'Aaron Fox scored 17 points with nine assists, and Julian Champagnie hit three 3-pointers on the way to 12 points.

Chicago (1-9) built its early lead on shooting, scoring 41 points in the first quarter before managing 19 in the third. Jalen Smith scored 23 and made all five of his 3-point attempts. Nicolas Claxton added 17 off the bench, part of 59 bench points for the Bulls.

The Bulls played without Norman Powell, who was out with low back spasms. San Antonio was missing Devin Vassell, out with left adductor tightness.

Chicago shot well but turned the ball over 19 times to San Antonio's six. Matas Buzelis had six of those turnovers, and the Spurs finished with 16 steals.

San Antonio led 120-105 with 2:04 left. Chicago's Noa Essengue completed a three-point play with 44.1 seconds to go and added a running dunk that made it 122-116.

Jordan McLaughlin made two free throws with 11.2 seconds left, and Essengue's 27-foot shot at the buzzer set the final score.

Up next

Spurs: home against the Golden State Warriors on Friday, November 13.

Bulls: home against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, November 13.