Victor Wembanyama waited through Chicago’s dazzling first quarter, then made sure the last three belonged to San Antonio. The 7-foot-4 star scored 32 points, blocked five shots, and led the Spurs from a 15-point hole to a 124-119 win Wednesday. San Antonio arrived at 9-2 and chasing another big season after last year’s Finals run. Chicago entered 1-8, still trying to turn its exciting young pieces into complete-game success.

The Bulls came out flying. Forward Smith drilled three early three-pointers, and Caleb Wilson added a dunk as Chicago matched San Antonio’s quick offense. After the Spurs went ahead 19-14, Matas Buzelis hit a three and then drove for a layup to tie it. Chicago’s second group took over from there. Nic Claxton blocked a Castle shot, dunked at the other end, and point guard Jones nailed a three during a 14-2 burst. Wilson buried a three just before the horn, giving the Bulls a 41-29 lead after one quarter.

Chicago kept pouring on the pressure in the second. Wilson opened with another three, while Smith stayed perfect from outside. Claxton controlled the paint with tough finishes, and Buzelis hit two more deep shots. When Wilson tipped in his own miss, the Bulls led 70-52. They took a 70-56 advantage into halftime, having shown the ball movement and energy they needed against a powerful opponent.

But Wembanyama began changing every trip down the floor. He scored inside, stepped back for jumpers, and made drivers think twice about entering the lane. San Antonio also turned Chicago mistakes into a comeback. Dylan Harper stole Wilson’s pass and set up a Castle dunk. Soon after, Harper hit a three to tie the score 73-73. The Bulls had 19 turnovers, while the Spurs had only six. Those extra lost possessions gave San Antonio room to erase Chicago’s hot start.

Big man Kornet helped push the Spurs ahead with two tip shots, baskets made after grabbing a miss near the hoop. San Antonio led 90-89 after three quarters, and Wembanyama took command early in the fourth. His turnaround jumper, alley-oop dunk, and step-back three sparked a 17-5 surge to a 107-94 lead.

Chicago kept working. Smith finished with 23 points and made all five of his three-point tries, while Claxton scored 17 points. Yet Wembanyama swatted away a Buzelis dunk attempt, and Harper’s defense created more fast-break chances. Harper finished with 18 points, 10 assists, and four steals, while De’Aaron Fox added 17 points and nine assists. Their support let Wembanyama shine without carrying every play himself.

The Spurs improved to 10-2 and next face Golden State, with another comeback showing their poise. The Bulls fell to 1-9 before meeting Atlanta. Chicago’s first-half burst showed its young core can challenge anyone; its next step is protecting the ball when the game’s pressure rises.

Victor Wembanyama Turns Chicago’s Fast Start Into a Spurs Finish