For the reason that finish of the NBA season, it feels just like the NBA world has had the San Antonio Spurs on the mind. First, they lucked into the second decide within the draft, deciding on Dylan Harper, which raised questions on their roster development. They then had a fruitful free company interval, buying large man depth with the additions of Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk. Then Victor Wembanyama had a summer time worthy of essentially the most fascinating man within the NBA. Lastly, the Spurs went undefeated within the preseason.
All of that hype will fade away when the ball is tipped at 8:30 on Wednesday evening. Now the Spurs might be full steam forward, chasing the franchise’s first postseason look in 6 seasons (the longest drought within the Western Convention). The staff’s celebrity has made it clear that it’s playoffs or bust this yr.
“Success could be entering into the playoffs and never the play-in,” Wembanyama stated. “So I assume which means sixth seed.”
In a tightly contested Western Convention, each recreation will matter to get them to that sixth seed. Sport one in opposition to an in-state rival might be paramount. The Dallas Mavericks have additionally generated hype this offseason because of the addition of a generational expertise in Cooper Flagg. The rookie headlines a roster crammed with large, bodily gamers like Anthony Davis, PJ Washington, and Derrick Energetic, all of whom have given Wembanyama suits in his profession. Regardless of their lack of big-time guard play (because of Kyrie Irving’s damage), the Mavericks are a scary staff that ought to make waves within the West.
San Antonio will look to construct on its preseason momentum and get off to a strong begin with out at the least two rotational gamers. De’Aaron Fox and Jeremy Sochan are anticipated to overlook the primary handful of video games. It’ll be as much as Wembanyama and the crew to select up the slack to begin the yr, turning offseason hype into regular-season outcomes.
October twenty second, 2025 | 8:30 PM CT
Watch: ESPN | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: De’Aaron Fox – Out (hamstring), Kelly Olynyk – Out (heel), Jeremy Sochan – Out (wrist), Lindy Waters – Out (eye)
Mavericks Accidents: Dante Exum – Out (ankle), Daniel Gafford – Uncertain (ankle), Kyrie Irving – Out (knee)
The Mavericks are an enormous, bodily, defensive-minded staff. These are the sorts of rosters which have induced points for the Spurs prior to now. Even with a taller, stronger Wembanyama, rebounding could also be a difficulty for San Antonio this yr. They’ll depend on gang rebounding from smaller gamers on the staff like Stephon Fort, Julian Champagnie, and Harrison Barnes. San Antonio might be at a measurement drawback in opposition to Dallas, so securing the defensive boards and conserving Dallas from scoring second-chance factors might be extraordinarily essential.
It’s possible you’ll recall Wembanyama’s shaky begin to the season final yr. It began with a gap evening dud in opposition to the Mavericks in a 120-109 loss, the place he had 17 factors, 9 rebounds, and 1 block on 5-18 capturing from the sphere. He seemingly remembers that efficiency, given the kind of competitor Wembanyama is. Anticipate a motivated large man on Wednesday in opposition to the Mavs. Wemby dominated the preseason, wanting like a possible MVP candidate. This staff will stay and die by his performances. He may have an opportunity to place the staff on his again on Wednesday.
The Mavericks have a budding star in Flagg. He’s going to be a legit two-way downside instantly. The Spurs might want to comprise him in the event that they need to earn a highway victory. Which means Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, Keldon Johnson, Barnes, and Fort will have to be able to match up and go in opposition to the massive, athletic wing. It’ll be fascinating to see who the Spurs select to begin the sport on Flagg. Champagnie looks like the apparent selection, however Fort is the staff’s finest perimeter defender and has the scale and power to match up with Flagg. Offensively, the Spurs will want capturing from their wings, like they received within the preseason. Flattening threes on kickouts might be key in opposition to the larger Mavs.
