Epic Night: Mamukelashvili's Unforgettable Performance Inspires Spurs Victory

SAN ANTONIO – In a mix of amazement and disbelief, Sandro Mamukelashvili of the San Antonio Spurs paced half-dressed near his locker on Wednesday night, repeating the same disbelieving phrase following his team’s 120-105 victory over the New York Knicks: “I don’t know what f—ing happened,” he exclaimed. Beside him, his good friend, rapper Flavor Flav, hyped up the euphoric Frost Bank Center crowd of 18,521 with MVP chants as Mamukelashvili made NBA history by achieving a personal record of 34 points in under 20 minutes—a feat unparalleled since records began officially tracking minutes in the 1951-52 season.

“I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time,” Mamukelashvili shared. “Words can’t express how I’m feeling. It’s like a dream. I envisioned and prayed for this moment and finally, it’s here. For a while, I felt as if I was having an out-of-body experience, questioning if it was real.” The genuine excitement from his Spurs teammates was palpable as they rushed to embrace him on the court at the game’s conclusion. Meanwhile, Flavor Flav, decked out in a red T-shirt and his signature clock, burst onto the court during the forward’s postgame interview, excitedly declaring, “I don’t care what nobody says. My man is on fiiiiiiiirrrreee!”

Having averaged just 8.9 minutes this season, Mamukelashvili came onto the court 55 seconds into the second quarter and quickly left his mark. His initial points came from a tip-in after a Blake Wesley miss, followed by a 27-foot shot assisted by Stephon Castle, pushing the Spurs ahead by seven. By halftime, Mamukelashvili had racked up 13 points, shooting 5-of-6 at the basket, with a perfect 3-of-3 from three-point range, alongside seven rebounds and an assist, leading the Spurs to a 67-43 advantage.

“Going 13-of-14 from the field and a flawless 7-for-7 from three, all in under 20 minutes, is beyond extraordinary,” remarked Spurs acting coach Mitch Johnson. “We know he’s a solid shooter, but this was something special—far beyond what anyone anticipated. He brings consistency and dedication every day, which speaks volumes about him, especially considering his role. That’s why he’s so beloved by his teammates.”

Despite sitting out the third quarter, Mamukelashvili erupted in the final quarter, scoring 21 points with 8-of-8 shooting, including 4-of-4 from beyond the arc, adding two rebounds and two assists. His hot hand prompted Chris Paul to strategize plays in the game’s dying moments to offer his teammate additional scoring chances. “Having played the game for so long, I know how to set up shots for guys,” Paul said. “Mamu is a stellar teammate, always working hard and maintaining a great attitude. When he’s on fire like that, you just focus on getting him the ball.”

Mamukelashvili joined the rare ranks of players who managed to shoot 90% on field goals, 100% on three-point attempts, and from the free-throw line in a single game, alongside Tyrese Haliburton (2022), Gary Payton (1995), and Charles Barkley. Additionally, he became only the third Spur to achieve at least 7-of-7 from beyond the arc, joining Matt Bonner (2010) and Steve Smith (2001).

Mamukelashvili’s incredible night was even more special with his father, Zurab, having traveled from New Jersey to watch, alongside other family members. Flavor Flav, celebrating his birthday on March 16, has long been a friend of Mamukelashvili, first meeting through the rapper’s financial advisor. They initially connected during Mamukelashvili’s 2021 NBA Summer League debut. “He promised me, ‘I’ll visit,’” Mamukelashvili recalled. “For his birthday, he decided to come to San Antonio, and although I warned him it might not be thrilling, my performance clearly made it worthwhile.”

“I’m constantly striving to improve and establish myself,” Mamukelashvili asserted. “I want to prove I belong at this level. With my supportive crew—my girlfriend, friends, teammates, and family—I feel it’s actually happening now. When it finally sinks in, you realize all the hard work is worth it. It’s an unbelievably fulfilling sensation.”