Wembanyama 16 pts but Spurs fall 106-111 to Hornets

The San Antonio Spurs fell 106-111 to the Charlotte Hornets on January 31, 2026, at Spectrum Center during regular season play, despite a solid 16-point, 8-rebound effort from Victor Wembanyama. A catastrophic second quarter proved impossible to overcome, as San Antonio dropped yet another game in Charlotte and continued a troubling road skid.

A Second Quarter Collapse Poisons the Well

The Spurs entered the contest competitive, matching Charlotte’s energy through the opening frame. Dylan Harper — sharp and assertive — was San Antonio’s offensive engine early, while Wembanyama worked to establish himself in the paint. The game felt winnable. Then the second quarter arrived. Charlotte’s bench exploded, led by Collin Sexton, who was virtually unstoppable off the bench, shooting an eye-popping 7-of-8 from the field and drilling 5-of-5 from three for 21 points. The Hornets seized control and never truly relinquished it.

San Antonio tried to claw back in the third quarter. Stephon Castle, who finished with a near-triple-double of 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists, pushed the pace and created open looks for teammates. Julian Champagnie and Devin Vassell each chipped in 13 points, providing perimeter support, but the deficit proved too steep to erase. Charlotte’s lead hovered between five and ten for most of the second half.

In the fourth quarter, the Hornets leaned on Brandon Miller, who willed Charlotte toward the finish line. The Spurs trimmed the gap on a couple of occasions, but clutch free throws down the stretch sealed the 111-106 final. Victor Wembanyama logged 31 minutes, going 6-of-15 from the field with a troubling -14 plus/minus — a number that reflected San Antonio’s broader struggles whenever he shared the floor in key lineups.

Miller Dominates, Sexton Stuns Off the Bench

Charlotte’s most critical sequence came mid-second quarter, when Sexton rattled off back-to-back threes in less than ninety seconds, turning a slim Hornets lead into a double-digit cushion that demoralized San Antonio’s bench. The Spurs never fully recovered psychologically from that run. Brandon Miller finished as the game’s leading scorer with 26 points and 8 rebounds, going to the free-throw line nine times and converting all nine — a performance that underscored his growing importance to Charlotte’s offense. LaMelo Ball was characteristically efficient in his facilitation role, posting 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists and keeping the Hornets’ offense humming throughout.

Wembanyama Steady but Spurs Lack Cohesion

Despite the defeat, the French phenom showed resilience. Victor Wembanyama’s 4-of-4 from the charity stripe demonstrated focus and composure, and his eight rebounds kept San Antonio competitive on the glass. His shooting stroke — 0-of-3 from three — remains a work in progress against elite defensive schemes, but his overall floor presence remains indispensable.

Wemby’s Night by the Numbers

• 16 points (6/15 FG, 0/3 3P, 4/4 FT)
• 8 rebounds
• 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 blocks
• 31 minutes played
• -14 plus/minus

San Antonio’s Bigger Picture

The Spurs’ struggles on the road, and specifically in Charlotte, reflect a broader pattern of inconsistency that has defined this regular season. Dylan Harper’s 20-point performance on an efficient 9-of-13 shooting was a bright spot, hinting at the tandem potential he and the n°1 pick of the 2023 draft could represent. Stephon Castle’s near-triple-double also signals genuine development at the point guard position. But defensive lapses — particularly in second quarters — continue to haunt head coach Gregg Popovich’s rotation.

What Comes Next for San Antonio

According to the San Antonio Express-News, the Spurs have a Sunday night date with the Orlando Magic on the horizon — a game that now carries added urgency after this stumble. Charlotte, meanwhile, surges forward as a legitimate Eastern Conference contender. San Antonio must find a way to shore up its defensive rotations and protect leads if the pivot from tanking to competing is to accelerate before the trade deadline arrives.