The San Antonio Spurs are quietly putting together one of the most compelling stories of the 2025-26 NBA season. At 27-13, they’ve already exceeded expectations-and they’re doing it with a blend of youth, defensive grit, and a touch of the surreal, thanks to their 7'4" phenom, Victor Wembanyama.
Let’s start with the record. Yes, they’re coming off a lopsided road loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but context matters.
That was a rare stumble in what’s been a dominant season series for San Antonio-they’ve already taken down OKC three times this year. The Spurs are showing they can hang with the West’s best, and more importantly, beat them.
And now, they’re getting Wembanyama back to full strength.
After missing a stretch with injury, Wemby is ramping back up-and not just physically. On Thursday, he showed up to practice with a shaved head, a look that sparked some flashbacks to his offseason training stint in a Chinese monastery.
Wemby pulled up to Spurs shoot around with a shaved 👀
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 15, 2026
(📸: @HectorLedesmaTV) pic.twitter.com/9zxat48Eg9
While the optics are fun, the results are what really stand out. Wembanyama has returned to form as the league’s most fearsome defensive presence, altering shots, swallowing space, and anchoring a Spurs defense that’s been one of the most disciplined units in the league.
But it’s not just defense. Offensively, Wembanyama is evolving.
He’s cutting down on low-percentage threes and doing more of his damage closer to the basket-a shift that’s made him even tougher to contain. He’s not just a shot-blocker with a jumper anymore; he’s becoming a complete two-way force.
And he’s not doing it alone.
San Antonio’s three-guard rotation of Dylan Harper, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle has been one of the most intriguing backcourt groupings in the league this year. Fox brings the veteran savvy and explosive pace, Castle offers size and defensive versatility, and Harper-despite hitting a bit of a rookie wall recently-has already shown flashes of why the Spurs are so high on his long-term upside. It’s not easy to manage three ball-dominant guards, but head coach Mitch Johnson has handled the rotation with impressive poise, keeping the offense fluid and the identity intact.
The result? A Spurs team that’s 14 games above .500 and firmly in the hunt for a top seed in the Western Conference.
It’s not just about wins-it’s how they’re winning. With a generational talent in Wembanyama, a dynamic backcourt, and a coach who’s pressing all the right buttons, San Antonio isn’t just ahead of schedule-they’re a problem for the rest of the league.
Next up, they’ll host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night. Another test, another chance to prove that this Spurs team isn’t just a feel-good story-they’re the real deal.