Wembanyama fuels early surge in late start as Spurs overcome travel woes to beat Magic

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 25 points, eight rebounds and five blocks and San Antonio beat the Orlando Magic 112-103 on Sunday night in a game that started five hours late because of the Spurs' travel woes.

The Spurs were scheduled to leave Charlotte following a 111-106 loss Saturday, but had to stay overnight because of the storm that dropped nearly a foot of snow. The team then had a mechanical issue on its flight.

Devin Vassell added 16 points for San Antonio. Dylan Harper had 15 points, and De'Aaron Fox had 14 points and 10 assists.

Desmond Bane scored 25 points for Orlando, and Paolo Banchero had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Orlando had won two in a row.

The Magic had been in San Antonio since Saturday after a 130-120 home victory over Toronto. The Spurs weren't so lucky.

The game was scheduled to start at 3 p.m. but was pushed back to 6 p.m. and then 8 p.m. as the Spurs returned home nearly 24 hours later than planned.

The delayed start did not hinder the Spurs as they made their first three shots and seven of their first eight in building a double-digit lead five minutes in, Wembanyama made his first two attempts, forcing his way past Wendell Carter Jr. in the lane for a finger-roll layup and a two-handed slam.

Wembanyama was cleared to play a half hour before tipoff after being questionable due to left calf soreness.

San Antonio guard Stephon Castle missed the game with left adductor tightness.

Magic: At Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.

Spurs: Host Oklahoma City on Wednesday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives against Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) jumps to save a loose ball from going out of bounds during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) scores against the Orlando Magic during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) scores over Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Slovenia’s parliament on Friday appointed right-wing populist politician Janez Jansa as the new prime minister, in a shift for the small European Union country that was previously run by a liberal government.

Lawmakers backed Jansa in a 51-36 vote in the 90-member assembly. The new prime minister will need to come back to Parliament within the next 15 days for another vote to confirm his future Cabinet.

Jansa's appointment concludes a postelection stalemate in Slovenia after a parliamentary ballot two months ago ended practically in a tie. Former liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob's Freedom Movement won by a thin margin but he was unable to muster a parliamentary majority.

Jansa and his populist Slovenian Democratic Party signed a coalition agreement this week with several right-wing groups. The new government also has the backing of a nonestablishment Truth party that first emerged as an anti-vaccination movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new term in office will be the fourth for the veteran Slovenian politician. Jansa, 67, is an admirer of U.S. President Donald Trump and was a close ally of former populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who was defeated in a landslide election last month.

Jansa in a speech listed the economy, fight against corruption and red tape, and decentralization as key goals of the future government. He has promised to lower taxes for the rich and support private education and healthcare.

Critical of the previous government's alleged “inefficiency," Jansa said the new government will turn Slovenia into “a country of opportunity, prosperity and justice, where each responsible citizen will feel safe and accepted."

Like Orban, Jansa was staunchly anti-immigrant during the huge migration wave to Europe in 2015. Also like Orban, Jansa has faced accusations of clamping down on democratic institutions and press freedoms during a previous term in 2020-2022. This led to protests at the time, and scrutiny from the European Union.

Golob in his speech described Jansa as “the greatest threat to Slovenia’s sovereignty and democracy."

Alleging that Jansa had threatened to arrest him, Golob said Jansa's "idea of democracy is that anyone who dares speak a word against you deserves only the worst.”

Jansa, a supporter of Israel, also has been a stern critic of the Golob government's 2024 recognition of a Palestinian state.

The vote on March 22 was marred by allegations of foreign influence and corruption. The around 2 million people in the Alpine nation are deeply divided between liberals and conservatives.

Janez Jansa, center, addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)

Janez Jansa arrives for a session of the Slovenian Parliament in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)

Janez Jansa addresses the Slovenian Parliament during a session in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, May 22, 2026, before appointing him as prime minister, ending a political deadlock after tight elections in March. (AP Photo/Igor Kupljenik)