Grades: San Antonio Spurs at Orlando Magic – Game #50

[spursparker9]

https://www.spurstalk.com/grades-spurs-magic-2025-game-50/

[Leetonidas]

:lol no mention of Mitch running the clock down to 0 down 1 with the ball?

[ffadicted]

:lol no mention of Mitch running the clock down to 0 down 1 with the ball?

If you can believe it, a lot of people seem to think that was intended/the right play lol Avoid the spurs subreddit mate.

[RC_Drunkford]

surprised Mitch only got a C+, I thought he gets a B by default :lol

Have we ever played zone defense once this season?

[spursparker9]

:lol no mention of Mitch running the clock down to 0 down 1 with the ball?

:lol That is the right play. Wemby's jumper is always open as it is unblockable.

[Leetonidas]

:lol That is the right play. Wemby's jumper is always open as it is unblockable.
I hope you're being sarcastic :lol

while that is technically true, point is (and should be obvious to any coach with a pulse) that you run a quick play to get a shot with time remaining in case you miss so you can still foul and have another opportunity to score. Mitch really shit the bed on this one imho

[Bill_Brasky]

If you can believe it, a lot of people seem to think that was intended/the right play lol Avoid the spurs subreddit mate.

I hate the Spurs sub reddit. Full or retards that think bad coaching and bad basketball is "just growing pains".

[ffadicted]

:lol That is the right play. Wemby's jumper is always open as it is unblockable.

I don't think anyone is saying a wemby jumper isn't the right thing to do, although the entire play was a mess/broke down and that's just what we ended up with. The main point is with 24 seconds and only down by 1, you take a quick shot at it. You get it, great, trust your defense. You don't, you foul and you get another go at it to tie.
Runnig the close down and getting a long jumper buzzer beater wasn't it.

[scott]

Dang, only took timvp 2 straight 1-point losses to decide to abandon the forum again

[scott]

ChatGPT prompt: In the style of LJ Ellis from the website SpursTalk.com, please write a review and player grades of the Spurs versus Magic game on February 8, 2025

Results:

San Antonio Spurs vs. Orlando Magic: Game Recap & Player Grades – February 8, 2025
The San Antonio Spurs wrapped up their February 8th contest against the Orlando Magic with a disappointing 111-106 loss, a game that had flashes of promise but ultimately lacked the cohesion and execution needed to secure the win. The loss drops the Spurs to 27-26 on the season, leaving them in the middle of a highly competitive playoff race in the Western Conference.
Despite strong performances from their stars, the Spurs simply couldn’t get stops when it mattered most, and a late surge by Orlando—led by Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner—was enough to push the Magic over the top.
Spurs Player GradesKeldon Johnson – B
Keldon came out with a scoring mentality and put up 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting. He was aggressive in transition, creating some easy scoring opportunities, and had moments of strong perimeter defense. However, there were stretches where he faded out of the game offensively, and his perimeter shooting (just 1-of-5 from three) could’ve been better. If the Spurs are going to take the next step, Johnson needs to stay engaged for all four quarters, especially in tight games like this one.
Victor Wembanyama – A-
Wembanyama was once again a force, finishing with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks. The Magic had no answer for him inside, and he showed a smooth touch from the mid-range and beyond the arc (3-of-4 from three). However, there were moments when his decision-making could’ve been cleaner, particularly when the offense bogged down. His shot-blocking was as advertised, but he did struggle in defending the pick-and-roll at times against Orlando’s skilled bigs. Still, Wemby continues to show why he's the centerpiece of this team moving forward.
Devin Vassell – C+
Vassell had a rough night, finishing with just 10 points on 4-of-11 shooting. While he had a few nice plays—especially defensively—he couldn’t find a rhythm offensively. The Magic did a good job limiting his looks, and Vassell’s shooting slump continued, including a cold 1-of-5 from beyond the arc. His defense against Orlando’s wings wasn’t as sharp as usual, either, as he allowed Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs to get comfortable looks. The Spurs need more from Vassell, especially with the team struggling to find consistent secondary scoring.
Jeremy Sochan – B
Sochan's versatility continues to shine, as he contributed 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. His ability to guard multiple positions and create for others gives the Spurs an edge in their starting lineup, but there are still moments of inconsistency. He struggled with his shot (4-of-10 from the field) and still needs to iron out his free-throw shooting (2-of-4). However, his energy was important in keeping the Spurs afloat when the Magic made their run. The ceiling for Sochan is clear—he just needs to tighten his overall game.
Trey Jones – B
Trey played a solid game, tallying 9 points, 7 assists, and 3 rebounds. His playmaking was solid, especially when running the pick-and-roll with Wembanyama, but the Spurs will need him to become a more reliable scoring option. His defense was decent, but he still struggles against quick, athletic guards like Suggs and Markelle Fultz. His ability to keep the offense organized and limit turnovers (just 2) was a plus, but when the game tightened, Jones wasn’t able to take over in the way the Spurs needed.
Zach Collins – C
Collins’ performance was a bit underwhelming tonight, as he finished with 8 points and 4 rebounds in 20 minutes. He wasn’t as impactful on the defensive end as usual, and Orlando took advantage of his slower rotations at times. His rim protection, while decent, wasn’t enough to stop Banchero and Wagner from attacking the paint, and he also committed 3 turnovers. Collins can be a key piece off the bench, but tonight, he was largely a non-factor when the Spurs needed a boost.
Team Notes:

Defense: The Spurs’ defense was porous throughout the game, especially when defending Orlando’s young core. Banchero and Wagner were able to get to their spots with relative ease, and the Spurs' defensive rotations were slower than usual. This game was a reminder that the Spurs still need to improve their defensive IQ and be more disciplined in key moments.

Offensive Flow: While the Spurs had stretches of solid ball movement, they still had far too many possessions where the offense stalled, particularly in the second half. When the game was on the line, the Spurs became too reliant on individual plays rather than finding better shot opportunities. Their 3-point shooting (just 6-of-20 from deep) left a lot to be desired, and too many possessions ended in contested shots or turnovers.

Turnovers: The Spurs had 14 turnovers, and some of them came at crucial points when the game was still within reach. Whether it was errant passes or forced shots, they need to tighten up in that department. If they’re going to compete with teams like Orlando that have a lot of young talent, they can’t afford to give away easy possessions.

Final Thoughts:This was a frustrating loss for the Spurs, as they let an opportunity slip away after a competitive start. Wembanyama continues to impress, but the lack of consistent help around him, especially from Vassell, is concerning. The defense is still a work in progress, and the lack of ball movement and offensive flow was evident late in the game when the Magic took over.
It’s clear that the Spurs are not far off from being a team that can contend in the West, but they need to find more consistency, especially with their secondary scorers and on the defensive end. The magic of Orlando was real tonight, and the Spurs simply couldn’t answer when it mattered.
Next Up: The Spurs will look to bounce back when they face the Charlotte Hornets on February 10.

[spurraider21]

:lol That is the right play. Wemby's jumper is always open as it is unblockable.
we had the ball with 20 seconds or so left iirc

you get wemby to take his unblockablem midrange jumper with 12-13 seconds to go. if he makes it, great. you are up one. if you miss, you foul, give them free throws, and get an additional opportunity to tie the game

[z0sa]

:lol That is the right play. Wemby's jumper is always open as it is unblockable.

Sounds straight from reddit with 400 upvotes

When one explains nuance like, “… but what if it misses like just happened? What if i told you you could have TWO Wemby jumpers in the same timeframe, hell, maybe even 3?” Downvoted -120

[scott]

Sounds straight from reddit with 400 upvotes

When one explains nuance like, “… but what if it misses like just happened? What if i told you you could have TWO Wemby jumpers in the same timeframe, hell, maybe even 3?” Downvoted -120

My favorite subreddit is the NBA Trade Ideas. You could post a trade that actually happens a day later... downvoted into oblivion :lol

[rjv]

no mention of the horrible game management by Mitch on the last possession of the game? he did know the game wasn't tied, right?