Wembanyama returns as Spurs beat LoongLions 119-88 in preseason

The San Antonio Spurs opened their preseason Monday night with a 119-88 win over the Guangzhou LoongLions at the AT&T Center, a tune-up that offered the first look this year at a retooled Spurs roster and the return of Victor Wembanyama to game action. The Chinese Basketball Association team was on a three-game U.S. tour and featured several former NBA players, but San Antonio controlled the contest throughout.

Wembanyama, making his first appearance since a blood clot ended his previous season, finished with nine points, 10 rebounds and three blocks while also creating for teammates. The young center took just three shots, making them all, and was credited with multiple assists as he showed a more playmaking-oriented approach. After the game he said, "Tonight, I passed up shots that I could have made with my eyes closed, but it was to give one of my teammates a shot that he can make in his sleep."

New addition Luke Kornet made an immediate impact, scoring 16 points on a perfect shooting night while adding four rebounds. Kornet, a 7-foot-1 center signed to a four-year contract this offseason, finished 6-for-6 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line, and several of...