The Spurs Are Turning a Corner - Even Without Wembanyama and Castle
No Victor Wembanyama. No Stephon Castle. And yet, somehow, the San Antonio Spurs are starting to look more composed - and more competitive - than they did when both were on the floor.
That’s not a knock on the two young stars. It’s just the reality of what’s happening right now in San Antonio.
In the six games since Wembanyama and Castle hit the injury list, the Spurs have cleaned up one of their biggest issues: turnovers. In four of those six games, they’ve committed 10 or fewer - a dramatic shift for a team that had been coughing the ball up at an alarming rate earlier in the season.
And here’s the twist: Wembanyama and Castle, for all their upside, were leading the team in turnovers per game. Their absence has forced the Spurs to simplify, play more under control, and protect possessions. That’s opened the door to more shot attempts - like in their win over Portland, where they took 13 more shots than the Blazers, largely because they weren’t giving the ball away.
Turnovers Down, Confidence Up
This newfound ball security has done more than just give San Antonio extra looks at the basket. It’s also slowed opposing transition attacks.
Fewer turnovers means fewer fast breaks for opponents, which means more half-court defense - and that’s where the Spurs are quietly holding their own. Even without their defensive anchor in Wembanyama, this group has remained a top-15 defense.
They’re not just surviving - they’re competing. They edged out a road win without their top two defenders, then followed it up with a strong showing against the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
Again, just 10 turnovers. That’s the kind of discipline that keeps you in games, even when you’re shorthanded.
Champagnie’s Impact and the Fox-Led Offense
On the offensive end, San Antonio has leaned into spacing and shooting - and it’s working. Julian Champagnie has stepped into the starting lineup and made an immediate impact, giving De’Aaron Fox more room to operate. With Champagnie, Devin Vassell, and Harrison Barnes spotting up, and Luke Kornet rolling to the rim, Fox has had the kind of offensive structure that allows him to pick defenses apart.
The result? A 120.2 offensive rating since Wembanyama went out - good enough to rank fourth in the NBA over that stretch. That’s not just good; that’s elite.
Looking Ahead: Reintegration Without Regression
Now comes the next challenge: reintegrating Wembanyama and Castle without losing the offensive rhythm or the ball control that’s fueled this recent surge.
For Castle, the solution might be a shift in role. Playing more off-ball alongside Fox or Dylan Harper could take some decision-making pressure off his shoulders, letting him focus on slashing, defending, and finishing plays rather than initiating them. That could naturally bring his turnover numbers down.
As for Wembanyama, it’s about picking his spots. He’s shown flashes of brilliance with the ball in his hands, but some of his turnovers have come from trying to do too much - especially when attacking wings off the dribble and getting whistled for charges. Cutting down on those offensive fouls won’t just reduce turnovers; it’ll help him stay out of foul trouble and stay on the floor.
The Spurs Are Building Something - Now It’s About Balance
This stretch without their two young stars has been revealing. The Spurs have shown they can play smart, disciplined basketball. They’ve found a formula that works: spacing the floor, limiting mistakes, and letting Fox orchestrate.
When Wembanyama and Castle return, the key will be blending their talent into that formula without disrupting it. If they can do that - if those two can sharpen their decision-making and embrace the flow of this offense - the Spurs might not just be more competitive. They might be downright dangerous.