The San Antonio Spurs are set to face off against the Sacramento Kings this Saturday night, but there's a twist-this matchup is happening in Austin, not their usual home turf in San Antonio.
This marks the second game in three nights that the Spurs are playing in Austin, following their Thursday showdown against the Suns.
So, what's behind this change of scenery?
The Spurs are currently on their annual Rodeo Road Trip, a tradition where their home arena is temporarily unavailable. Historically, this meant hitting the road for an extended period. However, the team has now added a new wrinkle by hosting a couple of games in Austin during this stretch.
This move serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it keeps the players closer to home, reducing the strain of constant travel. Secondly, it allows the Spurs to broaden their reach and strengthen their brand in a major regional hub.
James Brandon James, the Austin-based senior vice president of strategic growth and deputy general counsel for Spurs Sports & Entertainment, expressed enthusiasm for this initiative: “We’re proud to see this game evolve into more than just basketball - it’s about bringing people together through world-class competition, community impact, and shared experiences that reflect the energy and diversity of this region. We’re excited to continue building on this tradition at Moody Center and deepening our connection with fans across the I-35 corridor and throughout this entire region."
The Spurs' performance in Austin has been impressive. They dominated the Suns on Thursday with a decisive 121-94 victory, proving that the Austin crowd can indeed feel like home.