The San Antonio Spurs are riding one of their best stretches in recent memory-and it's not just about the wins. They've taken 10 of their last 13 games, welcomed back both Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama, and punched their ticket to the Emirates NBA Cup championship game with a gutsy win over the Thunder.
Up next? A high-stakes showdown with the Knicks.
But while the spotlight’s been rightfully shining on the big moments, there are a few important developments flying under the radar that deserve attention.
The Spurs' Schedule Has Been a Gauntlet-And It’s Not Letting Up
Let’s talk about the grind. After wrapping up a five-game homestand, the Spurs have essentially lived out of their suitcases.
Nine of their last 10 games have been on the road, covering 10 different states in that span. Their last home game?
December 2 against the Grizzlies-and even that was the front end of a back-to-back that sent them straight to Orlando. Their Cup run added even more travel, including a trip to L.A. and then Las Vegas for the semifinals.
And the road doesn’t end here.
They’ll get a brief home stop to host the Wizards on December 18, but it’s immediately followed by a trip to Houston for a back-to-back against the Rockets. Then it’s off to D.C. before returning home for a rematch with the Thunder.
And on Christmas Day, they’ll be in Oklahoma City to face the defending champs. That’s a brutal stretch with little time to breathe.
The upside? The Spurs have handled the chaos with poise.
Advancing in the Cup has made the schedule tougher, but it’s also a sign of growth. They’re not just surviving the road-they’re thriving on it.
Still, you can bet the entire organization is counting the days until the next extended homestand.
Roster Shuffle: Kyle Mangas In, Riley Minix Out
On December 12, the Spurs made a quiet but notable roster move, signing Kyle Mangas to a two-way contract and waiving Riley Minix.
Minix, who went undrafted in 2024, had carved out a role in the Spurs' system. His initial two-way deal came in October 2025, and he saw limited NBA action-just one game last season and three this year.
In Austin, though, he showed promise, averaging 15.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and shooting 39.4% from deep. He also delivered a buzzer-beater in Summer League that turned some heads.
But the Spurs opted to pivot. Mangas, a 6’4" combo guard, has been lighting it up in the G League.
He’s putting up 18.5 points, 2.9 boards, and five assists per game while hitting 41.1% from three. He’s a skilled scorer who’s earned this look, even if his size doesn’t offer the same versatility Minix brought to the table.
The positional overlap is real-especially with another young combo guard, David Jones-Garcia, already on a two-way deal. But Mangas has played well enough to warrant a closer look, and this is the kind of low-risk, high-upside move that teams like San Antonio have made a habit of nailing over the years.
There’s also the matter of the Emirates NBA Cup prize money. Standard contract players get over $200K if the Spurs lose to the Knicks, and more than $500K if they win.
Two-way players get half of that. So the timing of the move raises a fair question: who gets the Cup bonus, Minix or Mangas?
That detail hasn’t been clarified, but it’s a reminder of how even fringe roster decisions can carry real financial weight.
Dylan Harper Is Turning Heads-and Winning Respect
Dylan Harper’s rookie campaign is quickly becoming one of the most compelling storylines of the Spurs’ season. The No. 2 overall pick came in with high expectations, and not only has he met them-he’s exceeded them in ways that matter most to a winning team.
Early-season questions about his fit alongside the other guards have all but disappeared. What’s replaced them?
Praise-from teammates, coaches, and even national media figures. De’Aaron Fox has gone on record comparing Harper to some elite company, and you know that’s not something Fox throws around lightly.
Even without the volume of minutes or usage that typically fuels Rookie of the Year campaigns, Harper is earning respect for how he’s impacting games. He’s not just showing potential-he’s contributing to wins. That’s a different kind of praise, and it tends to stick.
Jeremy Sochan’s Minutes Are Down, But the Vibes Are Still Good
One of the more under-the-radar developments has been Jeremy Sochan’s shrinking role. The former full-time starter has seen his minutes evaporate in recent games. He didn’t play at all in the last two contests and logged under four minutes in the one before that.
That kind of role reduction could easily cause friction in a locker room, especially for a young player with starting experience. But give credit to both Sochan and interim head coach Mitch Johnson. By all accounts, the situation is being handled with professionalism and maturity.
Sochan has remained engaged-cheering from the bench, staying locked in, supporting his teammates. That’s not always a given, especially for a guy who’s been in the rotation since day one. There’s still time for him to work his way back into the mix before restricted free agency hits this summer, but for now, the team chemistry hasn’t taken a hit.
Bottom Line: The Spurs are in the middle of something special. The win column tells one story, but the real tale is in the details: a young core stepping up, a brutal schedule handled with resilience, and a front office still tinkering on the margins.
Whether it’s Dylan Harper’s emergence, a roster shake-up, or how the team’s navigating tough stretches, there’s a lot to like about what’s brewing in San Antonio. And if this is just the beginning, the rest of the league better start paying attention.