By james art 
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Keldon Johnson scored 25 points, Chris Paul added 15 points and 13 assists and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-103 on Saturday night without coach Gregg Popovich, who missed the game with an illness.
Jeremy Sochan added 19 points and 10 rebounds for San Antonio, and Victor Wembanyama had 17 points and 6 rebounds.
Paul, 39, became the second-oldest player in NBA history with 10 assists in consecutive games. Hall of Fame guard John Stockton of the Utah Jazz accomplished the feat at age 41.
Julius Randle scored 21 points and Anthony Edwards had 18 for Minnesota, playing in the second night of the game. The Timberwolves arrived at their hotel in San Antonio around 4:15 a.m. after rallying in the final minutes to beat Denver 119-116 at home on Friday night.
Food to take home
San Antonio Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan, center, drives to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves’ Nikkeil Alexander-Walker (9) and Julius Randle during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Darren Abate
Timberwolves: Randle was 8 for 15 from the field as he attacked Wembanyama with a barrage of shots, left-handed floaters and hook shots. Rudy Gober went 3 for 8, with his shot blocked twice by Wembanyama.
Spurs: Paul is averaging 16 points after scoring just six in his first two games with San Antonio. Paul recorded his second consecutive double-double, raising his career total to 529. He is second only to LeBron James (575) in double-doubles among active players.
Key point
San Antonio showed its burgeoning defensive prowess on a series of plays late in the first half to preserve a precarious lead. Johnson stole the ball from Donte DiVincenzo with 38 seconds left in the second quarter. The turnover led to a dunk by Wembanyama that put the Spurs up 62-57. Wembanyama then rushed to block Gobert at the rim, knocking his dunk attempt out of his hands and off the backboard with six seconds left.
Key statistics
San Antonio had 11 turnovers for the second straight game after averaging 17.2 to start the season. The Spurs posted a season-high 22 shutouts in a 105-93 loss at Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Since then, San Antonio has lost 22 combined in back-to-back games.
Next up
The Timberwolves host Charlotte on Monday, while the Spurs host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.
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