In a late-night Western Conference clash, the San Antonio Spurs secured a solid 115-102 victory over the visiting Charlotte Hornets at the Frost Bank Center. The win, coming in the final stretch of the regular season, provided a crucial boost for the Spurs' playoff positioning, while the Hornets' struggles on the road continued. The game was ultimately decided by a dominant third-quarter run from the home side, which broke open what had been a tightly contested affair in the first half. The Hornets started brightly, moving the ball well and finding early success from beyond the arc to take a narrow lead after the first quarter. The Spurs settled into their rhythm in the second, with their defense tightening and their ball movement creating open looks. The contest remained close until halftime. The pivotal shift came immediately after the break, as the Spurs unleashed a 20-5 run fueled by aggressive defense leading to fast-break opportunities. This surge gave San Antonio a commanding double-digit lead they would never relinquish. Charlotte attempted to mount a comeback in the fourth, cutting the deficit to single digits at one point, but timely three-pointers from the Spurs' backcourt snuffed out any hope of a dramatic turnaround. A key focus point was the Spurs' bench production, which significantly outperformed Charlotte's reserves, providing a vital spark during the game-changing third quarter. The performance of San Antonio's rookie forward was also a standout, as he recorded a double-double and played with a poise beyond his years. For the Hornets, their star guard put up impressive scoring numbers but received insufficient support, especially on the defensive end. The win moves the Spurs two games above .500 and into a more secure spot in the play-in tournament conversation, while the loss leaves the Hornets further adrift in the Eastern Conference standings, facing an increasingly steep climb to reach the postseason. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich praised his team's defensive intensity in the second half, while Hornets coach Steve Clifford lamented his squad's inability to sustain their effort for a full 48 minutes. San Antonio's starting lineup featured Jones, Vassell, Johnson, Sochan, and Wembanyama, while Charlotte started Ball, Miller, Bridges, Washington, and Richards.