The San Antonio Spurs are entering a pivotal stretch of the season with a full roster, renewed focus, and a clear opportunity to climb the Western Conference ladder. After falling short in the NBA Cup Finals against the New York Knicks-a loss that stung but didn’t impact their regular season record-the Spurs are still sitting comfortably with one of the top three records in the West. And with health finally on their side, the runway is clear for a strong push toward the top.
What stands out most right now is the position they’ve put themselves in. Despite the NBA Cup setback, the Spurs are just 4.5 games out of first place in the Western Conference.
That’s a manageable gap for a team that’s not only talented but now healthy and battle-tested. The early season success has created a valuable buffer, too-they’re five games ahead of the Phoenix Suns for the seventh seed.
That’s critical. If they can maintain that distance, they’ll steer clear of the play-in tournament and head straight into the postseason with a secure spot.
But this isn’t just about avoiding the play-in. The Spurs have a real shot at locking in a top-four seed, which would come with home court advantage in at least the first round.
That’s a massive edge, especially for a young team still learning how to win when the lights are brightest. And if they can push up to the second or third seed, they’d potentially avoid the Oklahoma City Thunder until the Western Conference Finals.
That’s no small detail in a conference where matchups can make or break a playoff run.
What’s especially striking is how long it’s been since playoff seeding even mattered this much in San Antonio. The last time the Spurs were in this kind of conversation was back in the 2018-19 season.
That squad-headlined by LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay, and DeMar DeRozan-was scrapping for a seventh seed and ended up pushing Denver to seven games in the first round. Respectable, sure, but a far cry from what this current group is aiming for.
This version of the Spurs is built differently. They’re not just hoping to make the playoffs-they’re expecting to make noise once they get there.
A trip to the second round would be a solid step forward. A run to the Western Conference Finals?
That would exceed expectations and signal that this team’s timeline is accelerating faster than many anticipated.
And let’s not overlook the value of their NBA Cup experience. Playing in high-stakes games, even in a midseason tournament, matters-especially for a young core.
Getting to the Cup Finals gave this team a taste of postseason intensity. That’s the kind of seasoning that can pay dividends when the real playoffs begin.
History shows us that many great teams take their lumps before they break through. The Warriors, for example, had to lose to the Spurs in 2013 before launching their dynasty.
Could this Spurs team be on a similar trajectory? Time will tell, but the foundation is there.
With momentum building and the standings in their favor, the focus now shifts to consistency. The Spurs don’t need to be perfect-they just need to keep stacking wins, stay healthy, and position themselves for a deep playoff run. If they can secure a top-three or top-four seed, they’ll not only avoid the chaos of the play-in but also set themselves up for a legitimate shot at making waves in the West.
Bottom line: the Spurs are back in the mix, and this time, they’re not just happy to be here. They’re ready to make it count.