The Spurs came out the winner of Round 1 after a dramatic Keldon Johnson layup with just over a second remaining that gave San Antonio a 115-114 lead. The basket became the Spurs’ only lead of the night and erased a 20-point deficit.

Tuesday also marked the first-ever meeting between rookie Victor Wembanyama and veteran Kevin Durant, two lanky but freakishly gifted athletes at different points in their careers. Wembanyama dressing up as Slenderman to the game Tuesday (Halloween) made it even more fitting with Durant’s Slim Reaper nickname. The two faced off in some entertaining one-on-ones too, but Wembanyama’s Spurs got the last laugh.

Tip-off Thursday at Footprint Center gets started at 10 p.m. EDT with Phoenix a seven-point favourite on home court and the over-under at 225 on the NBA odds.

Spurs vs. Suns NBA Betting Odds

With a win on Tuesday, the Spurs snapped a nine-game slump against the Suns. But San Antonio’s now 5-1 ATS in their last six at Phoenix and were just as big as an underdog in Tuesday’s outright win as they are in this tilt. Both of Phoenix’s two home games this year went over the total and six of their last seven home games dating back to last year now have gone over.

The Suns finished last November on a six-game win streak while the Spurs failed to cover in all of their last seven games from last November. But with Wembanyama things appear to be different in San Antonio already. The Spurs were 22-60 a season ago, which got them their next superstar and a 2-2 start to his rookie campaign.

San Antonio Spurs

Of course, winning NBA games takes more than an individual’s effort and outside of Wembanyama San Antonio is getting more from their young squad. 24-year-old Keldon Johnson led the team with 27 points in Tuesday’s win and is second to 23-year-old Devin Vassell in team scoring. Vassell’s the only Spur averaging 20 points per game as it’s been more a scoring by committee with San Antonio, with forwards Cedi Osman and Zach Collins also averaging double digits per game.

There’s still a long way to go from a last place finish a season ago, but it’s encouraging to see Gregg Popovich getting results out of this new look, and dare I say rejuvenated Spurs squad. San Antonio’s now hit at least 115 points in three of their four outings this season.

Phoenix Suns

On the flip side, Tuesday was as big of an early season blow to the Suns as possible. Phoenix took a double-digit lead into the fourth quarter, silencing the hype around Wembanyama and the Spurs only to give up their first and only deficit of the game in its dying seconds. The Suns caught fire from the three-point line Tuesday hitting 18 of 39 attempts from deep. Guards Eric Gordon and Grayson Allen combined for nine treys on 16 attempts.

The two had to bring it to the offensive side of the game too as Devin Booker and Bradley Beal both were absent from Phoenix’s lineup. Beal is still yet to make his Suns debut because of a back injury while Booker was doubtful with a sprained ankle and remains in jeopardy to play Thursday.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Spurs vs. Suns?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Spurs Team Leaders

SA

Points	Victor Wembanyama 21.44
Assists	Tre Jones 6.21
Rebounds	Victor Wembanyama 10.63
FG%	Charles Bassey 72.5
Steals	Victor Wembanyama 1.24
Blocks	Victor Wembanyama 3.58

PHO

Points	Kevin Durant 27.09
Assists	Devin Booker 6.94
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 11.01
FG%	Udoka Azubuike 69.6
Steals	Jusuf Nurkic 1.07
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.21

SA

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 27.5
Assists	Devin Booker 6
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 8.25
FG%	Nassir Little 60
Steals	Devin Booker 1.75
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.5

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Suns Team Leaders

SA

Points	Victor Wembanyama 21.44
Assists	Tre Jones 6.21
Rebounds	Victor Wembanyama 10.63
FG%	Charles Bassey 72.5
Steals	Victor Wembanyama 1.24
Blocks	Victor Wembanyama 3.58

PHO

Points	Kevin Durant 27.09
Assists	Devin Booker 6.94
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 11.01
FG%	Udoka Azubuike 69.6
Steals	Jusuf Nurkic 1.07
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.21

SA

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

PHO

Points	Devin Booker 27.5
Assists	Devin Booker 6
Rebounds	Jusuf Nurkic 8.25
FG%	Nassir Little 60
Steals	Devin Booker 1.75
Blocks	Kevin Durant 1.5

Injuries

San Antonio

Zach Collins (PF)

Prob Sun Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24

Malaki Branham (SF)

Out Sun Concussion - 12 / 04 / 24

Malaki Branham (SF)

Prob Wed Hip - 10 / 04 / 24

Keldon Johnson (SF)

Out Sun Foot - 08 / 04 / 24

Julian Champagnie (PF)

Ques Tues Head - 07 / 04 / 24

Cedi Osman (SF)

Out indefinitely Ankle - 03 / 04 / 24

Dominick Barlow (PF)

Out indefinitely Knee - 31 / 03 / 24

Devin Vassell (SG)

out for season Foot - 31 / 03 / 24

Keldon Johnson (SF)

Prob Sun Foot - 30 / 03 / 24

Keldon Johnson (SF)

Prob Fri Knee - 26 / 03 / 24

Phoenix

Grayson Allen (SG)

Out Sun Ankle - 22 / 04 / 24

Eric Gordon (SG)

Prob Sat Migraine - 14 / 04 / 24

Drew Eubanks (PF)

Prob Sun Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Prob Wed Ankle - 08 / 04 / 24

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Ques Fri Calf - 04 / 04 / 24

Grayson Allen (SG)

Prob Fri Hip - 02 / 04 / 24

Bradley Beal (SG)

Prob Wed Finger - 26 / 03 / 24

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Prob Fri Ankle - 25 / 03 / 24

Jusuf Nurkic (C)

Prob Sat Eye - 22 / 03 / 24

Royce O'Neale (SF)

Prob Thurs Shoulder - 21 / 03 / 24

Injuries

San Antonio

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Zach Collins (PF)	Prob Sun	Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24	1-0	1-0	+ -
Collins is hampered by a left thumb contusion, but it is not expected to affect his status against the Pistons on Sunday.
Malaki Branham (SF)	Out Sun	Concussion - 12 / 04 / 24	1-1	1-1	+ -
Branham missed the last clash while through concussion protocol, and he will not suit up Sunday versus the Pistons.
Malaki Branham (SF)	Prob Wed	Hip - 10 / 04 / 24	2-1	1-2	+ -
Branham is hindered by a right hip contusion, but it is expected that he will be available for Wednesday's matchup with the Thunder.
Keldon Johnson (SF)	Out Sun	Foot - 08 / 04 / 24	2-2	2-2	+ -
Johnson has been absent from the last three contests with a left foot injury, and he will not partake in Sunday's clash with the Pistons.
Julian Champagnie (PF)	Ques Tues	Head - 07 / 04 / 24	3-2	3-2	+ -
Champagnie exited the last game with a head laceration, and it is yet to be determined if he will take the floor against the Grizzlies on Tuesday.
Cedi Osman (SF)	Out indefinitely	Ankle - 03 / 04 / 24	5-2	4-3	+ -
Osman is sidelined with a right ankle injury, and team officials have not yet confirmed an exact return date.
Dominick Barlow (PF)	Out indefinitely	Knee - 31 / 03 / 24	6-2	5-3	+ -
Barlow is idle due to a left knee bone bruise, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Devin Vassell (SG)	out for season	Foot - 31 / 03 / 24	6-2	5-3	+ -
Vassell will sit out the remainder of the 2023-24 season due to a stress reaction in his left foot.
Keldon Johnson (SF)	Prob Sun	Foot - 30 / 03 / 24	6-2	5-3	+ -
Johnson has sat out the previous three contests with a left foot sprain, but it is projected that he will suit up for Sunday's showdown versus the 76ers.
Keldon Johnson (SF)	Prob Fri	Knee - 26 / 03 / 24	8-2	6-4	+ -
Johnson missed the last game with right knee soreness, but it is not expected to affect his status for Friday's battle with the Knicks.

Phoenix

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Grayson Allen (SG)	Out Sun	Ankle - 22 / 04 / 24	0-3	2-1	+ -
Allen is nursing a right ankle injury, and he will not be active against the Timberwolves for Game 4 of the Western Conference first round.
Eric Gordon (SG)	Prob Sat	Migraine - 14 / 04 / 24	1-4	3-2	+ -
Gordon is battling a migraine, but it is anticipated that he will be active for Game 1 of the Western Conference first round versus the Timberwolves.
Drew Eubanks (PF)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 13 / 04 / 24	2-4	4-2	+ -
Eubanks is dealing with right ankle soreness, but it is likely that he will take part in Sunday's battle versus the Timberwolves.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 08 / 04 / 24	2-6	4-4	+ -
Nurkic missed the last game with a right ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will be available Wednesday against the Clippers.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Ques Fri	Calf - 04 / 04 / 24	5-6	5-6	+ -
Nurkic is nursing left calf soreness, and it is unknown if he will suit up Friday against the Timberwolves.
Grayson Allen (SG)	Prob Fri	Hip - 02 / 04 / 24	5-6	5-6	+ -
Allen missed the last game hampered by left hip soreness, but he is expected to be active for Friday's battle with the Timberwolves.
Bradley Beal (SG)	Prob Wed	Finger - 26 / 03 / 24	6-8	6-8	+ -
Beal is nursing a sprained right ring finger, but it is predicted that he will participate in Wednesday's battle with the Nuggets.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 25 / 03 / 24	7-8	7-8	+ -
Nurkic missed the last clash with a right ankle sprain, but it is likely that he will face the Thunder on Friday.
Jusuf Nurkic (C)	Prob Sat	Eye - 22 / 03 / 24	9-8	8-9	+ -
Nurkic is hindered by an orbital contusion, but it is anticipated that he will battle the Spurs on Saturday.
Royce O'Neale (SF)	Prob Thurs	Shoulder - 21 / 03 / 24	9-9	9-9	+ -
O'Neale is battling a right shoulder contusion, but it is anticipated that he will partake in Thursday's matchup with the Hawks.