NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Victor Wembanyama sent the San Antonio Spurs back to the playoffs in dramatic fashion.
Wembanyama drilled a 17-foot jumper with one second left to give the Spurs a 101-100 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night at Frost Bank Center to send the Spurs back to the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.
The 22-year-old’s winning shot capped a furious last-minute rally. The Spurs trailed 100-95 with 1:13 left after Suns forward Jordan Goodwin made a 3-pointer.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, center, celebrates with teammates after hitting a game-winning shot against the Phoenix Suns in the final seconds of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Texas, March 19, 2026. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)
Wembanyama sparked the comeback when he grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled by Suns star Devin Booker and made two free throws to cut the Suns’ lead to 100-97. Booker then missed a shot at the other end of the court, and Spurs point guard De’Aaron Fox quickly scored a layup to make it 100-99.
The Suns had a chance to take a three-point lead when Wembanyama fouled Rasheer Fleming during a foul. However, Fleming missed both free throws, and the Spurs got the rebound and immediately took a timeout.
Wembanyama took advantage of missed free throws and made the game-winning jumper, sending the Spurs back to the playoffs.
LEBRON JAMES RETURNS ON POTENTIAL NBA TEAM OWNERSHIP IN VEGAS, SAYS HE’S NOT INTERESTED ‘AT ALL’
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) is celebrated by teammates Dylan Harper, Devin Vassell (24) and others after hitting a game-winning shot against the Phoenix Suns in the final seconds of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Texas, March 19, 2026. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)
Wembanyama said after the match that he was playing in wine-stained shorts after someone spilled wine on him.
“It was difficult to understand all the stimuli around me,” Wembanyama said. “The fans were looking at me. This guy spilled wine on me. And then it was before the game was over. I had made the shot. I was coming back on defense and kind of hitting a guy and I had wine on my shorts now. There was a lot going on.”
Wembanyama, who scored 34 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the win, said he is happy to be in the playoffs but is not satisfied.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) is celebrated by fans after hitting a game-winning shot against the Phoenix Suns in the final seconds of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Texas, March 19, 2026. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)
“Of course, the first instinct is to be proud of it and love it because we are part of it,” Wembanyama said. “But the key for me is to try not to worry about it because we want to attack 82 games. I’m afraid of getting complacent, so I’ll be on the other end of the spectrum right now. Try not to worry about it at all.”
The Spurs are 52-18 and are three games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder (55-15) for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
