Analysis GRADES: 11/20/2025 Hawks 126 @ Spurs 135

[scott]

SPURS BEAT THE HAWKS AT HOME 135-126, IMPROVE TO 11-4

Scott's Notes:

• It's DJG's world, we're just living in it. Winning teams find a way to come through when their stars are out. DET has done it finding joy with Daniss Jenkins, and we've found a way for three games now, with this one due in large part to David Jones-Garcia delivering. Mitch, incorporate this man into your plans please
• Closing out the homestand 3-0 without Wemby is huge. Two games we were clear favorites in and another where we were the dog (we improve to 3-0 on the season as underdogs!), but this is the kind of gut-up performance that winning teams deliver
• Great game from Keldon as well, dare I say one of the best performances of his career. Certainly one of the most meaningful
• Really like what we're getting out of Devin on defense right now, and he's doing what we need him to do on offense. Solid stuff
• I really like the combo as Champ and Barnes on the wings. It is rare that both of them have an off game the same night, so we usually get at least one of them hitting 3s, and sometimes they are both "on"
• Solid stuff from Fox. We were an uncharacteristic FT night from him away from a silent 30-piece. Passing was quite good as well, I feel like Swipa is rounding into regular season form quite nicely, and he also added a few nice steals as well
• Mitch didn't get cute and rode hot hands. Well done

What You Said:

• @Area 51.247: What a joy to see the Spurs playing loose and free, overcoming their mistakes, and letting DJG's infectious focus and intensity lead them out of a couple of black hole runs for ATL.
• @Davidicus: Really loved Fox this game. It was the How more than the stats. Really calmed the team in the right moments, and communicated via his demeanor “we’re going to win this game, and this is how.”
• @mazerrackham: Fun game given our short-handedness. Most annoying thing in the game is how Porzingis is just a bad matchup for Kornet. Spurs were switching with no resistance, and essentially just throwing swarming doubles but I hate it when teams switch so easily for no good reason.
• @spurraider21: DJG - 5. What a great coming out party for the guy. Made things happen off the dribble. Made shots. Even defended well and was a disrupter. Making a case for more playing time… i think he is coming for Lindy’s spot when everybody is healthy. Couldn’t be happier for the guy. Game may have spiraled without him
• @jeebus: After wandering aimlessly for 9 years since Timmy retired, the Spurs finally found their number one option and future GOAT in David Jones Garcia.
• @Mugen: Best game of Keldon's career tbh
• @couchman: Fox was what you expect him to be. He sets the floor at a very high level.
• @LeBowen: Champ was good, Devin tried his best and Sochan was frustrating.

Up next: a tough 4 game road trip @PHX @POR @DEN @MIN. If we can come out of that 2-2 without our 3 Young Guns, I'll be very happy.

 

[koriwhat]

I still can't get over the widget above. So damn cool!

 

[Spur|n|Austin]

Thanks, @scott

 

[CrustyCoastBendFan]

Thanks for the grades. I took a quick scan of the game thread and, of course, the usual old heads were still tossing shade at De’Aaron Fox. The man’s “only” been averaging 20.5 points, 5.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steal since coming back. But in Wemby’s three-game absence, during this mini streak, he’s bumped it up to 26.7 points, 7.7 assists (with just 2 turnovers), plus 2.6 rebounds and 2 steals a night. That’s All-Star material and flirting with MVP numbers. Still, I’m keeping Fox on his 14-business-day grace period since he skipped all of OPEN GYM and training camp. Old heads, I love you—never change. (Mark your calendars: the Timberwolves game on the 30th is officially Day One post-grace period.)

 

[NotoriousHOP]

Keldon (and DJG) with the perfect score across 20 grades. Didn't think this was possible. Is it possible the hate for him died with SpursTalk?

 

[ambchang]

Keldon is exhibit A of what a role player is supposed to be. He should be counted on to do a few specific things, and do those well. Ever since the Olympics, he was miscasted as a creator when he’s more a finisher. This year he’s actually scoring less and is shooting horribly from 3, but he is crashing the boards like a mad man and just bullying his way to the basket.

Him losing weight and as a result his main strength is a reflection of his attitude of willing to do whatever the team tells him to do, it exposed his limitations and he didn’t complain one bit about it, instead of being appreciated for it he got a lot of hate for sucking at something he is supposed to suck at. Oh well.

 

[Em-City]

One underrated aspect was Devin Vassell's transition D. He broke up a few fast breaks and overall he got back much more quickly to contest than previously. Could he be turning the corner in terms of his mindset?

 

[couchman]

Davin was directly responsible for a lot of Risacher’s misses at the rim. His willingness to play D has been a big deal so far this season.

 

[024]

Maybe it's the lower competition or Fox rounding into shape but the Spurs offense looks a lot smoother with Fox + one center + 3 shooters. Kind of makes me wonder if Castle and Fox are being shoehorned together into the starting lineup.

Or maybe it's that the Spurs don't need to constantly try to force feed Wemby. The offense just looks more natural with Fox running it.

 

[Seventyniner]

Maybe it's the lower competition or Fox rounding into shape but the Spurs offense looks a lot smoother with Fox + one center + 3 shooters. Kind of makes me wonder if Castle and Fox are being shoehorned together into the starting lineup.

Or maybe it's that the Spurs don't need to constantly try to force feed Wemby. The offense just looks more natural with Fox running it.

A Wemby-centric offense has the potential to be off the charts, but it's going to take players a while to get used to. The Fox-centric offense is much more standard.

 

[scott]

Maybe it's the lower competition or Fox rounding into shape but the Spurs offense looks a lot smoother with Fox + one center + 3 shooters. Kind of makes me wonder if Castle and Fox are being shoehorned together into the starting lineup.

Or maybe it's that the Spurs don't need to constantly try to force feed Wemby. The offense just looks more natural with Fox running it.

I actually think the Spurs should stagger Wemby and Fox more. Mitch usually sits them together, but there is some evidence pointing to the minutes without both Fox and Wemby being some of our worst from a NetRtg perspective. They are still positive minutes (which is awesome that we have positive lineups without Wemby… what a turnaround from last year), but the Wemby/No Fox and Fox/No Wemby lineups can hold their own.

https://imgur.com/a/dGwM7To

 

[Fireball]

Indeed the last two games I gave Vassell a 4 just because of his defense which came in crucial situations. Thats what we need from him