The San Antonio Spurs are heading into the All-Star break on a serious heater - winners of six straight and sitting firmly in the No. 2 spot out West. But don’t let that seeding fool you.
This team isn’t just coasting on a soft schedule or catching teams off guard. They’ve already shown they can hang with the best, including the defending champs and current top seed, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That season series? Advantage, Spurs.
If San Antonio wants to keep pace with OKC and make a legitimate push for the NBA Finals, they’ll need to bring the same energy, execution, and cohesion in the second half of the season that’s carried them through the first. And at the center of it all - quite literally - is Victor Wembanyama.
Wemby’s Health Is the X-Factor
The 7-foot-4 phenom has been everything the Spurs hoped for and more when they drafted him. His presence on both ends of the floor changes the game, and when he’s healthy, San Antonio looks like a team that can beat anyone.
But that’s the key - when he’s healthy. He’s missed time this season and last, and while he’s planning to go hard in Sunday’s All-Star Game, Spurs fans wouldn’t mind if he took it easy.
Rest now, dominate later.
The Spurs will need Wemby at full strength come playoff time, and not just him - they’ll need the whole roster locked in and available. This is a young team with big aspirations, and health will play a major role in how far they can go.
Sochan Out, Opportunity Knocks
The trade deadline came and went, but the roster shuffle isn’t over. San Antonio made a move that many around the team saw coming, parting ways with Jeremy Sochan. The versatile forward is headed to New York, and while his minutes weren’t massive (about 13 per game), his departure opens the door for someone else to step up - or for the Spurs to bring in a veteran presence.
One name to keep an eye on? Klay Thompson.
The 36-year-old sharpshooter is currently with Dallas, but with the Mavericks leaning into a rebuild around Cooper Flagg, there’s a real possibility Thompson could be bought out. If that happens, San Antonio could be an intriguing landing spot.
Klay isn’t the flamethrower he once was, but he still brings championship DNA, floor spacing, and a team-first mentality. For a young Spurs squad trying to make a deep run, that kind of experience could be invaluable.
Tightening the Rotation
As the postseason looms, one of the biggest questions for head coach Mitch Johnson is how to solidify his rotation. The stars are set - Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox have been the engine of this team - but playoff basketball is often won on the margins. That means figuring out who the reliable role players are and tightening things to a nine-man rotation.
Sochan’s minutes are now up for grabs, and there’s a real battle brewing for that ninth spot. Rookie Carter Bryant has shown flashes and could be ready for an expanded role. Dylan Harper and Julian Champagnie are also names to watch - young guards who could carve out meaningful minutes if they prove ready.
This is where coaching gets tricky. Do you trust the upside of youth, or lean on veterans who’ve seen more of the NBA grind? Johnson’s decisions here could be the difference between a deep playoff run and an early exit.
Finishing Games - No More Letdowns
Earlier this season, the Spurs had a habit of letting winnable games slip away in the fourth quarter. December and early January were filled with close losses that could’ve - and probably should’ve - gone the other way. Late-game execution was a real concern.
Lately, though, that narrative has started to shift. San Antonio has been better at closing games, and a big reason why is improved shooting from deep.
Over their last four games, the Spurs are hitting 39.3% from three - a full five points above their season average. If that trend continues, it gives them a reliable weapon to lean on in crunch time.
That’s going to matter. The Spurs have the third-toughest remaining schedule in the league. There won’t be many easy nights, and when they have a lead late, they have to close the door.
The Road Ahead
This Spurs team is young, exciting, and ahead of schedule. But they’re not just happy to be here.
They’ve got their sights set on something bigger. With Wembanyama healthy, Fox playing at an All-Star level, and a supporting cast that’s rounding into form, San Antonio has the pieces to make noise in the playoffs.
The second half of the season won’t be easy - it never is when you’re chasing a title. But if they can stay healthy, tighten the rotation, and keep closing out games, the Spurs won’t just be a feel-good story. They’ll be a legitimate threat to come out of the West.