The common season has come to an in depth, and for the primary time since 2019 (nicely, technically 2022 if you wish to rely the play-in), this isn’t the top of the road for the Spurs! After a 28-game turnaround from final season’s 34-48 to 62-20, the Spurs are headed to the playoffs because the second seed within the West and NBA general. They are going to face the winner of tonight’s seventh vs. eighth seed match-up between the Phoenix Suns or Portland Path Blazers within the first spherical of the playoffs, with Recreation 1 already scheduled for 8:00 PM CT on Sunday no matter opponent.
We’ll have loads extra once we find out about that collection, however within the meantime, I believed it will enjoyable to look again at what was essentially the most thrilling common season for the Spurs since 2016-17. In my thoughts, there have been 4 elements of this season. The primary is what I’d contemplate the pre-NBA Cup (in Vegas) stretch, the place the Spurs performed nicely and confirmed they had been on a brand new stage however had been having to patiently wait for an entire roster attributable to accidents. Then there was the December surge after they lastly had been wholesome, adopted by a January “droop”, and lastly, February and onward, after they began trying like a real contender.
We’ll look again at every a part of the season and the way it formed what turned out to be one of many biggest common season’s in Spurs historical past, starting with:
Half 1: Oct. 22 – Dec. 10 (17-7)
Regardless of having doubters, the Spurs entered the season with excessive optimism. Victor Wembanyama made a triumphant return from deep vein thrombosis that had shortened his earlier season to the All-Star break, and he was decided to take advantage of it. He additionally acquired to open the season in opposition to the following nice prospect to enter the NBA in Cooper Flagg, and Wemby dominated with a 40-point, 15-rebound efficiency, decided not solely to remind everybody who he’s, but in addition that regardless of the hype, the doe-eyed rookie was not on his stage simply but. (Though he has confirmed he shall be darn good. Everyone seems to be watching the Wemby vs. Chet Holmgren rivalry, however regulate this one, too.)
The Spurs would go on to win their first 5 video games — a franchise report — by driving Wemby’s dominance, all whereas ready for De’Aaron Fox to make is season debut following offseason finger surgical procedure and a hamstring damage. He lastly did 9 video games in, just for Wemby to then miss 12 straight video games with essentially the most dreaded two phrases in sports activities today: calf pressure.
Nonetheless, it might have been a blessing in disguise because it allowed Fox to combine himself with the roster and acquire their respect as the principle ball handler. He averaged 25 factors — 6.5 above his season common —and 6.5 assists throughout that stretch, along with his greatest sport being a memorable 114-112 OT win in Orlando, through which he had 31 factors and 5 assists whereas displaying why he was Mr. Clutch in 2023. Because the cherry on high, the sport was capped off by a hilarious Luke Kornet block-and-pose, who additionally confirmed his value as Wemby’s greatest backup but and rapidly turning into one of the underrated offseason acquisitions within the league.
The Spurs surprisingly went 9-3 in that timeframe with out Wemby, together with making the NBA Cup Event. That stretch concluded with a dominant 132-119 quarterfinals win in Los Angeles in opposition to a wholesome Lakers squad that had already crushed them as soon as this season, led by a dominant efficiency from Stephon Citadel, who went toe-to-toe with Luka Doncic with a 30-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist efficiency. Pretty much as good because the reigning Rookie of the Yr was coming into the season, he made an excellent larger leap than anticipated in his sophomore marketing campaign, bringing loads extra optimism for the long run.
Regardless of 50% of the primary a part of the season coming with out Wemby, the Spurs had been in a position to showcase their depth and set up themselves as a power to be reconned with maybe a season earlier than anticipated, and shortly, they might have your entire league’s consideration.
Verify again tomorrow as we proceed to stroll down reminiscence lane of an unbelievable common season, and ensure so as to add extra of your favourite reminiscences from the opening stretch within the feedback beneath!
