Tony Parker has triumphant return as Hornets down Spurs

Parker receives standing ovation after video tribute

(AP Photo/Darren Abate)

SAN ANTONIO – The AT&T Center was buzzing Monday night for the return of Tony Parker to San Antonio as a member of the Charlotte Hornets.

Parker got a great reception from the crowd and his former teammates. Then his current team proceeded to sting the Spurs with a 108-93 win. The loss dropped the Spurs to 25-20.

Recommended Videos



Despite the good feelings throughout the arena, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was not happy and concerned about the defense, primarily in the early stages of the game.

"We kind of followed them around for a whole half and finally started to get a little bit more physical, a little bit more competitive in the second half on the defensive end. But we were really soft in the first half and that hurt us," said Popovich.

Parker reminded the Spurs fans of greatness that once dominated the AT&T Center court.

He hit a couple of jump shots and made a couple of buckets off vintage Tony Parker drives. 

Parker ended the night with eight points and four assists.

“It was great, we got the win so that's the most important thing but I’m definitely tired,” Parker said. “It was draining mentally, emotionally. It was just an awesome night.” 

"I care so much about the Spurs," Parker said. "It was very weird to play against them. I don't know if I was nervous. It was a little bit of everything."

After an early lead, the Spurs gave way to a hot shooting Hornets team, especially Kemba Walker.

Walker finished with 33 points on 13-27 shooting, hitting 7 of 13 from 3-point range. "Kemba Walker was great. Tony Parker did a great job," Popovich said.

The Spurs managed to get a one point lead once in the second half, but could not take control of the game.

There were times it looked like November again when the Spurs had leaky defense, and it seemed like they struggled on offense, except for LaMarcus Aldridge, who scored a team high 28.

"We are just going to have games where shots aren't going to fall so we just have to find other ways to score, but we have had guys shoot well most of the year, but it is just going to happen," Aldridge said.

Usual sharp shooters Bryn Forbes and Patty Mills both struggled. Forbes went 3 of 12 from the field and Mills went 6 of 16.

"We've got to find more way to score. We are jut a little bit challenged in that way so we've got to talk about that, but that was basically the game," Popovich said.

"We couldn't score. We didn't have enough scoring, but we tried to make it as tough as possible on them," said DeMar DeRozan, who finished with 14 points and five assists.

More factors in San Antonio's offensive struggles were Marco Belinelli and Rudy Gay missing the game with injuries. Gay is expected to return for the Spurs upcoming road trip.

"As soon as we get him back and get back healthy, I'm pretty sure we'll get back to where we left off," DeRozan said.

Still, the night partially belonged to Parker. A video tribute was played for Parker before the game started.

He received a standing ovation after the video ended and once again when he was re-inserted into the game late in the fourth quarter to dribble out the clock.

The 36-year-old point guard who spent 17 seasons and won four championships in San Antonio appeared to be overwhelmed with the reception from the fans.

“Just want to thank the fans," Parker said. "The way they reacted tonight was just unbelievable. I loved and I appreciate everything so it was just a great memory and great night for me that I will cherish for the rest of my life."

The Spurs hit the road for games at Dallas and Minnesota.


About the Authors:

David Sears, a native San Antonian, has been at KSAT for more than 20 years.

RJ Marquez is the traffic anchor/reporter for KSAT’s Good Morning San Antonio. He also fills in as a news anchor and has covered stories from breaking news and Fiesta to Spurs championships and high school sports. RJ started at KSAT in 2010. He is proud to serve our viewers and be a part of the culture and community that makes San Antonio great.