Quick Read
- Julian Champagnie missed a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer in a 104-102 loss to the Timberwolves.
- Spurs coach Mitch Johnson and players defended the decision not to call a timeout, citing the open look generated in transition.
- Victor Wembanyama recorded a playoff-record 12 blocks despite struggling offensively alongside De’Aaron Fox.
Julian Champagnie and the Spurs’ High-Stakes Final Possession
SAN ANTONIO (Azat TV) – The San Antonio Spurs are facing immediate scrutiny following a 104-102 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series on Monday. The game concluded with a high-stakes moment: Spurs forward Julian Champagnie missing an open three-pointer at the buzzer that would have secured a comeback victory.
Despite the missed opportunity, the organization has rallied around Champagnie, who set a franchise record this season with 195 made three-pointers. Coach Mitch Johnson and teammates Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox all publicly endorsed the decision to allow the play to unfold rather than calling a timeout to set up a different look.
Tactical Trust: Why the Spurs Backed the Shot
The sequence began after a missed jump shot by Minnesota’s Julius Randle. Dylan Harper secured the rebound and pushed the ball into the frontcourt, finding a trailing Champagnie for an open look. Coach Johnson confirmed that he was satisfied with the team’s transition decision-making, noting that the Timberwolves appeared disorganized on defense during the final seconds.
“We got a great shot. I’m taking that shot 10 out of 10 times,” Harper stated post-game. Fox echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that had they called a timeout, the Timberwolves would have been able to set their defense, likely resulting in a heavily contested shot against either himself or Victor Wembanyama. By playing on, the Spurs generated a rhythm-based look for their most prolific shooter from beyond the arc.
Addressing the Offensive Struggles
The focus on the final play comes amid broader questions regarding the Spurs’ offensive efficiency. Wembanyama, who made history by recording 12 blocks in the contest, struggled significantly on the other end, finishing 5-of-17 from the field and 0-of-8 from three-point range. Fox also faced difficulties, committing six turnovers throughout the night.
Coach Johnson maintained a composed stance regarding the performance of his stars, expressing no long-term concern about the box scores of his primary playmakers. For his part, Champagnie remained focused on the immediate future, telling reporters that while the shot felt solid, his mindset is already shifted to the next game in the series.
The Spurs’ public backing of Julian Champagnie serves as a deliberate strategy to preserve team morale and confidence for the remainder of the series, signaling that they prioritize high-percentage, rhythm-based shots over the predictability of set plays against a set defense, even in the face of a high-profile missed opportunity.