Julian Champagnie scored 26 points in a successful homecoming and the San Antonio Spurs extended their longest winning streak since the 2015-16 season to 11 with a 126-110 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night in New York.
A Brooklyn native who played at nearby Bishop Loughlin High School and at St. John’s in Queens, Champagnie made 6 of 9 3s and 10 of 14 shots overall after the Spurs arrived in the area from Toronto at about 4 a.m. Eastern time.
In front of many San Antonio fans, Champagnie led seven Spurs players in double figures to help the club keep its longest winning streak since a 13-game run Dec. 26, 2015-Jan. 22, 2016, going.
Champagnie’s big night helped offset a second straight quiet showing from Victor Wembanyama, who was held to 12 points and had eight rebounds.
Stephon Castle added 13 of his 18 in the opening quarter when he sank seven of his career high-tying 10 free throws. Devin Vassell added 14 and De’Aaron Fox contributed 10 of his 14 in the third.
Keldon Johnson contributed 13 and rookie Dylan Harper chipped in 12 and seven assists as San Antonio’s reserves totaled 42 points.
The Spurs shot 49%, hit 17 3s, handed out 36 assists and collected 13 steals en route to their fifth straight win over the Nets.
Michael Porter Jr. scored 17 of his 25 in the third when the Nets made a comeback attempt before taking their sixth straight loss. Day’Ron Sharpe contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench and rookie Danny Wolf also scored 14.
Rookie Nolan Traore chipped in 13 and Nic Claxton finished with 12 points before fouling out early in the fourth.
The Nets shot 46% and made 38% from 3-point range but never led and trailed by as many as 26.
The Spurs made 13 of 14 free throws for a 36-22 lead through the opening quarter. Champagnie hit 3s on consecutive possessions to give the Spurs a 48-26 lead 2:20 into the second quarter and San Antonio held a 71-56 at halftime.
Porter scored 11 points early in the third and the Nets cut the lead to 75-69 on his 3 with 8:19 left in the quarter. The Spurs gradually pulled away again and held a 104-84 lead into the fourth.
San Antonio took a 26-point lead early in the fourth and pulled its starters a few minutes later.
