LATEST NEWS:Wembanyama’s return to the draft home is spoiled as Schroder has a fantastic Nets debut and Brooklyn thrashes the Spurs.

NEW YORK Though outstanding, the passing and scoring were not what captured the fans’ attention in Dennis Schroder’s Brooklyn Nets debut.

The crowd was shouting his name because of his ferocious reaction when Victor Wembanyama struck him in the face.

Wembanyama’s return to the stadium where he was the first choice in the NBA draft was spoiled on Saturday night as Brooklyn defeated the San Antonio Spurs 123-103 behind 15 points and 12 assists from Schroder and 25 points from Cam Thomas.

In his Nets debut, Schroder had the most assists of any player since James Harden, who recorded 14 against Orlando on January 16, 2021. The shouts started after he yelled at a referee for failing to call a foul when Wembanyama struck him with his elbow while trying to make a shot. He then tackled Wembanyama for a foul to halt play and continue his protests.

“I’m glad we got the win, I think that’s the most important, but of course the appreciation was there and I love that the fans did it,” Schroder stated. “Big-time for me.”

With 20 points and 11 rebounds from Nic Claxton, the Nets ended a three-game losing streak.

Although Wembanyama scored 21 points, the 7-foot-3 Frenchman only pulled down four rebounds, his lowest total since a defeat against Orlando in his previous game.

He had not played at Barclays Center since the Spurs selected him with the first overall pick in June. He has since led all NBA players in blocks (3.1), first-year players in scoring (20.3), rebounds (10.1), and steals (1.2) entering the game. However, he will have to settle for individual success this season.

The Spurs are 10-43 and bottom of the Western Conference after seven straight losses. Wembanyama, 20, said coach Gregg Popovich has discussed with him the challenge of finishing a taxing stretch of games before the All-Star break occurs the following weekend.

“He told me a little bit about it and so it’s not more complicated than that, it’s just hard to do,” Wembanyama stated.

In exchange for Spencer Dinwiddie, who was dismissed and signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday after becoming a free agency and passing waivers, the Nets obtained Schroder from Toronto on Thursday.

Although Schroder had little time to acclimate to his new squad, he came off the bench and quickly established himself as the starting point guard for the Nets, replacing Dinwiddie.

“He’s won games and played in high-level games, so for him to be out here on the floor and lead our group tonight, pretty impressive,” Jacque Vaughn, the Nets coach, said.

At point guard, Ben Simmons was still in the starting lineup and finished with 13 points on 6 of 7 shots.

For the Spurs, who are 0-3 on a nine-game trip that spans the All-Star break, Keldon Johnson scored 19 points.

With 8 1/2 minutes remaining in the third quarter, Wembanyama scored back-to-back 3-pointers to cut Brooklyn’s advantage to 69-63, but the Nets immediately took back control. With 0.4 seconds left, Schroder dribbled an inbounds pass from one sideline to the other side of the rim, finding Claxton to slam down at the buzzer to make it 93-75. Thomas had already scored 12 points during the run that began with a 3-pointer and gave the Nets a 14-point lead.

After leading 33-30 at the end of the first quarter, the Nets controlled the second, allowing the Spurs to score just 18 points on 30% shooting, to lead 60-48 at the half.

Next up

Spurs: Spend Monday in Toronto.

Nets: On Tuesday, they host Boston.