On Sunday night, the Golden State Warriors barely averted losing to the San Antonio Spurs. winning 117-113 to record their 40th victory of the year. The Warriors, who are currently 40-34, are two games ahead of the Rockets for the Western Conference’s 10th seed.

The Dubs put on a far from stellar display against one of the league’s poorest teams. The Spurs led for the duration of the first half, going into the half up 60-52 after jumping out to a 13-point lead in the opening quarter.

Victor Wembanyama, a rookie for the Spurs, showed signs of being the league’s face during the game by appearing to have a specific grudge. Wembanyama recorded 32 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and 3 blocks in the game’s conclusion. While five of Wembanyama’s teammates finished in double figures, no other San Antonio player scored more than eighteen points.

Conversely, the Warriors depended on their two seasoned leaders within the organization. With 33 points on 12-of-23 shooting from the field and 8 assists, Steph Curry led the way, and Draymond Green had arguably his best all-around game of the year. In addition to six rebounds, eleven assists, six steals, and eight of nine field goals, Green scored twenty-one points.

Recently benched for Klay Thompson, youngster Brandin Podziemski of the Warriors put on a performance reminiscent of his stellar season debut. While Podz was by no means exceptional, in his twenty-four minutes of play he had multiple effects on the game, finishing with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.

After an incredible third quarter, Golden State took command of the game and never looked back. Early in the fourth quarter, they increased their lead to 13 points, but they couldn’t stop San Antonio until the very end.

With 2:12 remaining in regulation, the Dubs led 113-102, but a 9-0 run over the following 75 seconds—six baskets by Wembanyama—made it a two-point tie in the last minute. With 39 seconds left, Thompson made a three-pointer to give the Warriors a five-point advantage. This provided Golden State the breathing room they needed to seal the victory.