Analysis 2026 First Round Opponent Watch

[samurai]

Does anyone know if Fanduel will be showing the playoff games?

Sean Elliott mentioned they would be doing the first round, but I think that's just on San Antonio's local channels. I went ahead and cancelled my Fanduel sub today.

 

[NotRobDiaz21]

Sean Elliott mentioned they would be doing the first round, but I think that's just on San Antonio's local channels. I went ahead and cancelled my Fanduel sub today.

Sucks that you need a million subscriptions to watch games these days. Might as well pay for cable smh

 

[SpursFan86]

Would strongly prefer to not play LAC in round 1 tbh. Their roster just seems considerably more playoff-dangerous than Phoenix/GS/Portland.

The one bright side would be that I think it’d be a good early test. Could kick us into gear similar to that 2024 1st round series against Dallas.

 

[Fabbs]

Boxscore only: What a complete puss out by the Lakers in the 1st half.

Off to start Spurs Clips playback now.

 

[Coyote2!]

I wonder why these guys continue to gaslight the Spurs fanbase when it comes to Kawhi. The booing is entirely justified and the fact that the NBA media continues to pretend like they have no idea why the majority of the fans can’t stand him is beyond annoying.

I was over it, but once the Aspiration shit came out - which the NBA is going to turn a blind eye to despite so much circumstantial evidence - it reignited a new hatred for Kawhi, Uncle Dennis, and that whole organization. Gotta admit it was nice watching that corrupt billionaire pig Ballmer sulking on the sidelines as the Spurs smacked around his illegally-constructed roster. Enjoy another first-round exit from your baseline seats in your multibillion-dollar vanity project, Steve!

Sorry... had to vent.

 

[JBAllDay]

Assuming we’re able to get by round one, it’s looking like we’re going to get the winner on Minnesota and Denver in round 2. Meanwhile, OKC will get Houston or a likely Luka-less Lakers (you like that alliteration?).

Was hope MIN could retake the 5 seed from Houston but doesn’t look like it’s happening with their loss to PHI.

 

[Dbreiden83080]

Suns come take your beating like men..

 

[STAT88]

Lakers should be able to hold on to 3 without Luka.

Spurs will probably have to take 1 of the 2 games from Denver tho because OKC will for sure give up the Denver game to try push the lakers to 4.

 

[John B]

Would strongly prefer to not play LAC in round 1 tbh. Their roster just seems considerably more playoff-dangerous than Phoenix/GS/Portland.

The one bright side would be that I think it’d be a good early test. Could kick us into gear similar to that 2024 1st round series against Dallas.

I think you mean 2014…. Be careful what you wish for. Nephew is All-NBA when healthy.

 

[Dbreiden83080]

I think you mean 2014…. Be careful what you wish for. Nephew is All-NBA when healthy.

We just smashed them minus Wemby.

Nephew will have a great series but that’s all.

 

[mo7888]

Assuming we’re able to get by round one, it’s looking like we’re going to get the winner on Minnesota and Denver in round 2. Meanwhile, OKC will get Houston or a likely Luka-less Lakers (you like that alliteration?).

Was hope MIN could retake the 5 seed from Houston but doesn’t look like it’s happening with their loss to PHI.

We'll get the LA/Minnesota winner in round two. Denver will play OKC.

 

[JBAllDay]

We'll get the LA/Minnesota winner in round two. Denver will play OKC.

That’s assuming the standings stay the way they are now. I don’t think they will.

Checking the schedules, Denver has Spurs x2, Thunder, and two easy Ws other than that. Going 2-3 or even 3-2 might make it hard to catch the Lakers. If Houston plays well to close the season they could climb to the 3 spot at 2GB.

1,2 and 6 are pretty much locked.

 

[mo7888]

That’s assuming the standings stay the way they are now. I don’t think they will.

Checking the schedules, Denver has Spurs x2, Thunder, and two easy Ws other than that. Going 2-3 or even 3-2 might make it hard to catch the Lakers. If Houston plays well to close the season they could climb to the 3 spot at 2GB.

1,2 and 6 are pretty much locked.

I just don't see Denver finishing anywhere but 4 or 5..

 

[scott]

Last week of the season is going to be exciting. Spurs finale might be an opportunity to pick our 2nd round opponent

 

[Dbreiden83080]

That’s assuming the standings stay the way they are now. I don’t think they will.

Checking the schedules, Denver has Spurs x2, Thunder, and two easy Ws other than that. Going 2-3 or even 3-2 might make it hard to catch the Lakers. If Houston plays well to close the season they could climb to the 3 spot at 2GB.

1,2 and 6 are pretty much locked.

OKC will tank the Denver game to avoid playing them in the second round. I think the Nuggets could go 4-0

 

[STAT88]

Yep OKC is not stupid they will absolutely tank that Nuggets game to help them get to 3.

OKC absolutely knows the only 2 teams who can beat them are the Spurs and Nuggets. Forcing them into the 2-3 matchup is smart.

I think it’s going to come down to the final game between Nuggets and Spurs. If Spurs win that they likely keep the Nuggets at 4 provided Lakers can at least go 3-2 in their last 5.

 

[Robz4000]

Yep OKC is not stupid they will absolutely tank that Nuggets game to help them get to 3.

OKC absolutely knows the only 2 teams who can beat them are the Spurs and Nuggets. Forcing them into the 2-3 matchup is smart.

I think it’s going to come down to the final game between Nuggets and Spurs. If Spurs win that they likely keep the Nuggets at 4 provided Lakers can at least go 3-2 in their last 5.

If Minny could get healthy and climb to the 4th/5th seed they'd have a chance to beat OKC imo.

 

[John B]

If Minny could get healthy and climb to the 4th/5th seed they'd have a chance to beat OKC imo.

Idk. 3 of Lakers remaining games are against teams who are in lottery. Lakers might still win those even without Doncic and Reaves

vs Mavs - tanking
vs Thunder - L
vs Dubs - tanking
vs Suns - L
vs Jazz - tanking

 

[Robz4000]

Idk. 3 of Lakers remaining games are against teams who are in lottery. Lakers might still win those even without Doncic and Reaves

vs Mavs - tanking
vs Thunder - L
vs Dubs - tanking
vs Suns - L
vs Jazz - tanking

I legit doubt the Lakers win a single game until October tbh.

 

[inagra]

Suns 96%
Clippers 3.1%
Wolves 0.9%

 

[024]

One of the worst case scenarios coming to fruition in the second round. Spurs having to play either Den or Minny and OKC gets an easy opponent in Lakers/Rockets. At least we dont have to watch Sengun play the Spurs.

 

[DaSlicer]

I prefer not to play the Clippers in round 1. Kawhi will use whatever juice he has left in his body to take down the Spurs and then if the Clippers prevail watch his body melt down in the next round. I just rather not deal with him