With the third-best record in the NBA, the San Antonio Spurs are making a serious case as a title contender-and a big part of that surge has come on the defensive end. Since Victor Wembanyama returned to the lineup, the Spurs’ defense has taken a major leap, now ranking third in the league. That’s no small feat in today’s NBA, where high-powered offenses are the norm and elite defense is often the separator between good teams and great ones.
But while the defense is locking in, the offense is hitting some troubling bumps-especially late in games. On paper, the Spurs still boast the seventh-best offense in the league. But recent performances have exposed a concerning trend: they’re struggling to close.
In back-to-back road games against two top-tier teams-the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets-San Antonio built double-digit leads only to see them evaporate in the fourth quarter. Against Minnesota, they were up 17 in the second half but managed just 14 points in the final frame and lost by one. Same script in Houston: a 15-point lead shrank fast as the Spurs again scored only 14 in the fourth.
It’s become a pattern. The Spurs can’t seem to sustain offensive rhythm in the second half, particularly in the third and fourth quarters. That’s a red flag for any team with championship aspirations.
One potential fix? Getting Devin Vassell back on the court.
Vassell might not be the first name that comes to mind when talking about offensive engines, but his absence has been glaring. Without him, the Spurs’ offense has looked out of sync-struggling to shoot from the perimeter and finish at the rim. Vassell has always been a key floor-spacer and a secondary creator, but his recent time away has shown just how crucial he is to keeping the offense flowing.
It’s also exposed a lack of depth on the wing. San Antonio has tried plugging the hole with Lindy Waters and rookie Carter Bryant, but neither has made a meaningful impact.
Even veteran Harrison Barnes, who was brought in for his shooting and stability, has hit a cold stretch. After hitting 43.3% from deep last season, he’s down to 35.8% this year-a drop-off that’s hurting the Spurs’ spacing in a big way.
And it’s not just Barnes. De’Aaron Fox, who was lights out from three at 38.8% earlier, has seen his shooting cool off significantly. That trio-Vassell, Barnes, and Fox-not hitting from deep has allowed opposing defenses to collapse the paint and clog driving lanes.
That’s made life tougher for San Antonio’s young guards like Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, as well as Fox himself. All three have struggled to get to the rim and finish, which only compounds the offensive issues. When you can’t shoot and you can’t attack the paint, you’re left with tough, contested looks-and that’s not a recipe for consistent scoring.
The good news? Wembanyama continues to be a bright spot.
He’s put together several strong performances lately and has seen his three-point shot start to fall more consistently. That’s a massive development, not just because of the spacing he provides, but because it opens up the floor for everyone else when he’s a threat from deep.
Still, the Spurs can’t afford to rely solely on Wemby to carry the offense, especially come playoff time. Getting Vassell back in the mix will help, but the front office should be active at the trade deadline. Adding another shooter or perimeter scorer could be the missing piece that helps this team avoid those late-game droughts.
Because while the Spurs have shown they can hang with the league’s best, those fourth-quarter collapses are a reminder that the margins are razor-thin. If San Antonio wants to make a deep run this spring, they’ll need to shore up the offense-and fast.