Welcome to the Week in Evaluation: a Monday function that appears again on the week that was for the San Antonio Spurs, takes a have a look at the week forward, and extra. Take pleasure in!
Week 21: In per week the place all 4 video games had been at residence towards dangerous groups, the Spurs exploded on offense however solely managed to separate the outcomes primarily based on in the event that they held their opponents to below 120 factors. They did simply that in a single matchup with the Mavs and towards the Pelicans however gave up a median of 139 factors of their two losses (to the Mavs and Hornets).
Week 22: 3-1 (31-39, thirteenth in West)
109-125 loss at Los Angeles Lakers (make-up sport)
Recap: In a rescheduled sport resulting from January’s Los Angeles wildfires, the Spurs performed arduous and with power towards the new-look Lakers, however regardless of no LeBron James, they had been merely outclasses by previous nemesis Luka Doncic whereas Stephon Fort handled foul bother.
What we realized
120-105 win vs. New York Knicks
Recap: In probably the most enjoyable video games of the season, the Spurs beat up the Knicks by getting out huge within the first half, then utilizing some Mamu Mania to carry on within the second. By the tip of the sport, during which his father, brother and good good friend Flava Flav had been all in attendance, Sandro Mamukelashvili — who had 34 factors on 13-14 taking pictures, 7-7 from three in 19 minutes of play — was etched into the file books for scoring probably the most factors in below 20 minutes in NBA historical past, amongst different milestones.
What we realized
128-120 win vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Recap: Going through a skeleton crew 76ers workforce with nothing left to play for besides attempting to not cede their top-6 protected decide to the Thunder, the Spurs began the sport robust and had constructed a good lead early within the second half… earlier than taking their foot off the gasoline for one among their signature turd quarters. Thankfully, they woke again up in fourth to take the sport again for his or her second straight win.
123-89 win at Toronto Raptors
Recap: In a uncommon defensive displaying for this workforce, the Spurs performed suffocating protection all evening towards a struggling raptors squad whereas enjoying complimentary workforce offense to cap off their second three-game profitable streak of the season. It was an ideal finish to the Spurs’ finest week of 2025.
What we realized
Energy Rankings
John Schuhmann, NBA.com — 23 (final week: 23)
OffRtg: 114.1 (15) DefRtg: 115.7 (25) NetRtg: -1.7 (21) Tempo: 100.1 (14)
The Spurs have gained three straight video games for the primary time since Thanksgiving, with eight gamers averaging double-figures over the profitable streak.
Three takeaways
1. The Spurs have been the league’s fourth most-improved offensive workforce, scoring 4.8 extra factors per 100 possessions than they did final season. They misplaced Victor Wembanyama on the All-Star break, however have scored 6.3 extra per 100 because the break (118.7, sixth) than they did earlier than it (112.4, sixteenth). That’s been the league’s fifth-biggest post-break leap.
2. Among the many 9 gamers who’ve performed no less than 500 minutes for the Spurs, Harrison Barnes and Chris Paul rank eighth and ninth, respectively, in utilization charge. However the offense has been at its finest with the 2 veterans on the ground.
3. The Spurs have scored 6.6 extra factors per 100 possessions at residence (117.2, seventh finest) than they’ve on the street (110.6, ninth worst). That’s the league’s largest home-road differential on offense. Amongst 180 gamers with no less than 200 area objective makes an attempt each at residence and on the street, Barnes has the third largest effective-field-goal-percentage differential (65.6% vs. 54.6%).
The Spurs beat the Knicks on Wednesday, however are nonetheless simply 11-22 towards the 14 groups which can be presently over .500. They’ll play eight of their subsequent 10 video games towards that group, a stretch that features two video games every towards the Cavs and Warriors.
Brett Siegel, Clutch Factors — 21 (final week: 21)
As loopy because it sounds, the San Antonio Spurs have gained three straight video games for the primary time since November. Mitch Johnson has completed an amazing job protecting his younger workforce energized and within the combat regardless of all that has gone fallacious this season. The Spurs might proceed to play the function of spoilers down the stretch run, particularly with 4 playoff-contending groups on their schedule this week.
Developing: Tues. 3/25 at Detroit Pistons; Thurs. 3/27 at Cleveland Cavaliers; Sat. 3/29 vs. Boston Celtics; Solar. 3/30 vs. Golden State Warriors
Prediction: 1-3 — That is the place the schedule heats up for the rest of the season, and also you would possibly must shelve these postseason hopes till we see additional proof that this workforce can persistently cling with opponents who’ve one thing to play for and a good-to-great frontcourt. The Spurs solely have three remaining video games towards groups with shedding data, and none of them are this week. They might proceed to shock us, however they’ll want the offense to remain the place it’s been whereas bringing the protection alongside for the journey.
