The Austin Spurs suffered a narrow 119-115 defeat against the Stockton Kings Thursday night at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, a game marked by a significant injury to guard David Jones Garcia.
Rising Star Sideline
Just four days after being selected for the NBA All-Star weekend’s Castrol Rising Stars game, Jones Garcia sustained an injury with 59 seconds left in the third quarter. He collapsed while driving to the rim, clutching his calf and ending his night.
Despite the setback, the Spurs demonstrated resilience. Head coach Jacob Chance noted, “I thought the group rallied after that,” and the team put up 33 points in the fourth quarter. However, the Kings, last season’s league champions, maintained control.
A Familiar Rivalry
The matchup continued a pattern of close contests between Austin and Stockton. The Kings previously defeated the Spurs in the G League Western Conference finals last season and had won earlier matchups this season. According to Coach Chance, “When you play the team like that, you go drive up for those easy points,” but Austin struggled to consistently capitalize.
A late-game push saw the Spurs narrow the gap to one possession with under two minutes remaining, thanks to a layup by Jayden Nunn. A subsequent technical foul against Stockton’s DeQuan Jeffries – who was ejected after fouling Kyle Mangas – offered Austin a chance to take the lead with 15 seconds left, but they were unable to convert.
“We just couldn’t get over the hump,” Chance said, explaining that the team repeatedly found themselves down by four points, only to have the Kings extend their lead back to seven or eight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was Stockton Kings 119, Austin Spurs 115.
When did David Jones Garcia sustain his injury?
David Jones Garcia was injured with 59 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
What is the Austin Spurs’ next game?
Austin will face the Texas Legends on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
How might the Spurs adjust their strategy in the wake of Jones Garcia’s injury, and what impact could this have on their performance moving forward?
