SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Jeremy Sochan had 23 points, Keldon Johnson added 20 points and the San Antonio Spurs rallied to close on an 11-3 run and beat the injury-depleted Philadelphia 76ers 128-120 on Friday night.
Stephon Castle added 17 points and a season-high 14 assists for San Antonio, which won consecutive games for the first time since Jan. 3.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) celebrates a score against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) scores over Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) celebrates as teammate San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, left, scores over Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) and forward Chuma Okeke (18) and during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) celebrate with teammate Jeremy Sochan (10) after scoring against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Quentin Grimes had 25 points and 10 rebounds as Philadelphia dropped its third straight. Justin Edwards added 25 points and Guerschon Yabusele had 23 points and nine rebounds.
San Antonio tied the game at 100 two minutes into the fourth quarter after being outscored 43-27 in the third.
Philadelphia continues to spiral without Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, Jared McCain and Kelly Oubre Jr., losing for the 18th time in its last 21 games.
Maxey missed his 10th straight game with sprains to his lower back and finger, but is nearing a return.
76ers: Former San Antonio guard Lonnie Walker IV had three points in 11 minutes.
Spurs: Sandro Mamukelashvili had two points two days after scoring a career-high 34 points in San Antonio’s 120-105 victory over New York. Mamukelashvili was 7 for 7 on 3-pointers against the Knicks on Wednesday but was 0 for 3 on 3s against the 76ers.
Sochan's alley-oop dunk off a pass from Johnson gave the Spurs a 119-117 lead with 3:14 remaining. It was San Antonio's first lead since blowing a 16-point lead in the third quarter.
San Antonio won consecutive games for the first time since beating the Los Angeles Clippers on Dec. 31 and Denver on Jan. 3. It was also the first time the Spurs have won consecutive home games since mid-December.
76ers: At Atlanta on Sunday night.
Spurs: At Toronto on Sunday night to open a three-game road trip.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) celebrates a score against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) scores over Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) celebrates as teammate San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, left, scores over Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) and forward Chuma Okeke (18) and during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) celebrate with teammate Jeremy Sochan (10) after scoring against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
ISTANBUL (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of opposition supporters gathered outside Istanbul city hall Sunday night to protest the arrest of the city’s mayor, a key rival to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Earlier Sunday, a court formally arrested Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and ordered him jailed pending the outcome of a trial on corruption charges. His detention Wednesday morning sparked the largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade, with large crowds gathering outside city hall for the fifth night in a row. It also deepened concerns over democracy and rule of law in Turkey. His imprisonment is widely regarded as a political move to remove a major contender from the next presidential race, currently scheduled for 2028. Government officials reject the accusations and insist that Turkey’s courts operate independently. “If you weren’t here today, if you hadn’t rushed here since the first day, if you had yielded to tear gas and barricades, if you had gotten scared and remained at home, then today a caretaker appointed by Tayyip Erdogan would be residing here in this building,” said Ozgur Ozel Sunday night, pointing at city hall as he spoke to the massive crowd chanting anti-government slogans. Ozel is the head of the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, to which Imamoglu belongs.
The prosecutor’s office said the court decided to jail Imamoglu on suspicion of running a criminal organization, accepting bribes, extortion, illegally recording personal data and bid-rigging. A request for him to be imprisoned on terror-related charges was rejected although he still faces prosecution. Following the court's ruling, Imamoglu was transferred to Silivri prison, west of Istanbul.
The Interior Ministry later announced that Imamoglu had been suspended from duty as a “temporary measure.” The municipality had previously appointed an acting mayor from its governing council.
Alongside Imamoglu, 47 other people were also jailed pending trial, including a key aide and two district mayors from Istanbul, one of whom was replaced with a government appointee. A further 44 suspects were released under judicial control.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said Sunday that 323 people were detained the previous evening over disturbances at protests.
Largely peaceful protests across Turkey have seen hundreds of thousands come out in support of Imamoglu. However, there has been some violence, with police deploying water cannons, tear gas, pepper spray and firing plastic pellets at protesters in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, some of whom hurled stones, fireworks and other missiles at riot police.
The formal arrest came as more than 1.7 million members of the opposition CHP began holding a primary presidential election to endorse Imamoglu, the sole candidate.
The party has also set up symbolic ballot boxes nationwide to allow people who are not party members to express their support for the mayor. Large crowds gathered early Sunday to cast a “solidarity ballot.”
“This is no longer just a problem of the Republican People’s Party, but a problem of Turkish democracy,” Fusun Erben, 69, said at a polling station in Istanbul’s Kadikoy district. “We do not accept our rights being so easily usurped. We will fight until the end.”
Speaking at a polling station in Bodrum, western Turkey, engineer Mehmet Dayanc, 38, said he feared that “in the end we’ll be like Russia, a country without an opposition, where only a single man participates in elections.”
At the time of Sunday night’s protest, the vote count had reached around 15 million people, of which around a little over 13 million were from non-party members voting in solidarity. In a post on social media, Imamoglu praised the result from Silivri Prison, writing that the people had told Erdogan “enough is enough.” “That ballot box will arrive, and the nation will deliver a slap to the administration it will never forget.”
“Honestly, we are embarrassed in the name of our legal system,” Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavas, a fellow member of Imamoglu’s CHP, told reporters after casting his vote, criticizing the lack of confidentiality in the proceedings.
CHP leader Ozgur Ozel said Imamoglu’s imprisonment was reminiscent of “Italian mafia methods.” Speaking at Istanbul City Hall, he added: “Imamoglu is on the one hand in prison and on the other hand on the way to the presidency.”
The Council of Europe, which focuses on promoting human rights and democracy, slammed the decision and demanded Imamoglu's immediate release.
The German government called the mayor's imprisonment “a serious setback for democracy in Turkey," adding that “political competition must not be conducted with courts and prisons.”
Soner Cagaptay, director of the Turkish Research Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and an author of a biography of Erdogan, said the president was “determined to do whatever it takes to end Imamoglu’s career.”
Before his detention, Imamoglu had already faced multiple criminal cases that could result in prison sentences and a political ban. He was also appealing a 2022 conviction for insulting members of Turkey’s Supreme Electoral Council.
Earlier in the week, a university nullified his diploma, citing alleged irregularities in his transfer from a private university in northern Cyprus some 30 years ago. The decision effectively bars him from running for president, since the position requires candidates to be university graduates. Imamoglu had vowed to challenge the decision.
Imamoglu was elected mayor of Turkey’s largest city in March 2019, in a major blow to Erdogan and the president’s Justice and Development Party, which had controlled Istanbul for a quarter-century. Erdogan’s party pushed to void the municipal election results in the city of 16 million, alleging irregularities.
The challenge resulted in a repeat of the election a few months later, which Imamoglu also won.
The mayor retained his seat following local elections last year, during which the CHP made significant gains against Erdogan’s governing party.
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Associated Press writer Kirsten Grieshaber in Berlin contributed to this report.
Riot police officers clash with protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Riot police officers clash with protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Riot police officers use pepper spray to clear protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Riot police officers clash with protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Riot police officers clash with protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Riot police officers use pepper spray to clear protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Riot police officers use anti riot rifles and pepper spray to clear protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Riot police officer uses an anti riot rifle to clear protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Protesters cover their faces as riot police officers use pepper spray against them during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
A protester kicks a flare against riot policemen during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Riot police officers use pepper spray to clear protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
A protester gives a flower to riot police officers during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
A protester holds up banner during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Riot police officers clash with protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Protesters face off riot policemen during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Riot police officers clash with protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Protesters face off riot policemen during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Riot police officers stand guard during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Riot police officers clash with protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Protesters face off riot policemen during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
A protester sprays fire against riot policemen during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Riot police officers use pepper spray to clear a protester during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Protesters shout slogans during a protest against the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Protesters shout slogans during a protest against the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
People cast their ballots in a Republican People's Party or (CHP) polling station during a symbolic election to show solidarity with Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu after he was arrested, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
People cast their ballots in a Republican People's Party or (CHP) polling station during a symbolic election to show solidarity with Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu after he was arrested, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
People cast their ballots in a Republican People's Party or (CHP) polling station during a symbolic election to show solidarity with Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu after he was arrested, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
People cast their ballots in a Republican People's Party or (CHP) polling station during a symbolic election to show solidarity with Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu after he was arrested, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
A man attaches a large banner of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in a tree in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, March 20, 2025, during a protest against the arrest of Imamoglu. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
FILE - Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu addresses his supporters in front of the Istanbul courthouse, in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel, file)
Fireworks thrown by protesters explode over riot police during a protest against the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
A protester sits on her knees as riot police stand guard during a protest against the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
A protester holds a flare next to riot police officers during a protest against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
A protester holds a Turkish flag as riot police stand guard during a protest against the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, outside Caglayan courthouse, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
Riot police use pepper spray to clear a protester during a protest against the arrest of Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, in Istanbul, Turkey, Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
