Game Thread Spurs (23-9) vs Knicks (23-9) (Wed 12/31/25) [6:00 PM CDT]

[100%Duncan]

Knicks players that are out have more impact on this specific match up than ours

 

[scott]

we need to make sure Fox and Harper are staggered at all times. Would be easier with Harper off the bench. Unless you want more McLaughlin minutes.

Could be a good game to pull DJG from the gleague too

I've honestly been surprised we haven't seen more DJG this season but I agree with Castle out it seems to be the right moment for it.

If I am counting correctly, however, DJG has used 19 of his 50 allowable active opportunities (10 games played, 9 DNPs vs 13 games listed as inactive). Spurs might have to be more judicious about calling him if he's far removed from the gameplan.

A lot of folks have just assumed he's destined to be converted to a full deal, but he is far less accomplished than Champ and Bassey were when they were finally signed.

This seems like it could really be DJG's time to shine.

 

[STAT88]

we need to make sure Fox and Harper are staggered at all times. Would be easier with Harper off the bench. Unless you want more McLaughlin minutes.

Could be a good game to pull DJG from the gleague too

You can still do that.

Sub Harper out at 6 minutes left in the 1st. Leave Fox in.

Sub in Harper for Fox with 3 minutes left in 1st.

Sub in Fox for Harper with 9 minutes left in 2nd.

Sub Harper back in with 6 mins to go in 2nd. Leave Fox in.

Repeat second half.

36 minutes each. They can handle that on a shorthanded night. Both start and finish the games.

 

[SupremeGuy]

The last two games sucked a lot of dick tbh.

Seems like Vic needs a different lineup when he starts.

Or more time to gel.

I dunno.

Honestly, we just need to hit 3s and play better perimeter defense. Those are things within our control.

 

[Spursgenius]

Expecting another tough game. Spurs will need to hit 3s to keep up with the Knicks.

Knicks are 3rd in the league in 3FGM and 4th in 3FG%.

For reference Cavs are 4th in the league in 3FGM.

Warriors are 1st.

Suns are 9th.

These 4 teams make up 7 of the Spurs 10 losses this year. 9 in the RS plus the Cup Final loss to the Knicks. 2 other losses were against the Jazz who went 17-37 from 3, the Wolves who went 17-37 from 3.

well the book is out. Does SS and Mitch counter and change scheme / FO make trades or be stubborn and die.

 

[Area 51.247]

Six years of wandering the desert of no playoffs and the Spurs have a chance of finishing 2025 with single digit losses!

Meanwhile, BB's Calamity Janus faction have joined Willie's chorus on Dandy Don's favorite:

The Party’s Over https://share.google/OsJSgYdkJBmtCqN5H

 

[scott]

If both Castle and Vassell are out someone suggested Sochan starting, and honestly that might not be the worst idea... similar with Bryant if Sochan has truly played his way out of the team forever.

Thought is you start Sochan and give him a chance and if it falls flat (like it has of late) he just rotates out and never comes back in the game, similar to what we saw with some of Biyombo's starts.

 

[Fireball]

Harper is not starting and then playing 36 minutes. Delusional. He should stay on the bench.

 

[spursfanfromafar]

I will start Fox, Waters, Champs, Barnes and Wemby ..Harper, DJG, Bryant, Kornet on the bench and Lunch Lady at a pinch. Sochan as things stand is damaged goods. Waters is capable of hitting the threes and can at least try to contain Brunson along with Champs with Bryant as the backup for the assignment. Let Harper finish instead of Waters in the fourth / crunch though.

 

[Spursgenius]

Bryant needs extensive minutes to get over rookie hump. Even after Castle and comeback.

 

[RC_Drunkford]

The Main question for this game is:

Will Wemby lose his 5th game in a row as a starter?

All of those were home games too.

 

[STAT88]

Harper is not starting and then playing 36 minutes. Delusional. He should stay on the bench.

 

[SpursBrazil]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2006213764790538412

 

[onechance87]

If both Castle and Vassell are out someone suggested Sochan starting, and honestly that might not be the worst idea... similar with Bryant if Sochan has truly played his way out of the team forever.

Thought is you start Sochan and give him a chance and if it falls flat (like it has of late) he just rotates out and never comes back in the game, similar to what we saw with some of Biyombo's starts.

It is the worst idea tho,Our recent problems lately is shooting.Now you want to start the worst shooter with confidence issues going on rn?
We already know who sochan is.Why keep on giving him more chances when we know what type of players he is.

 

[LeBowen]

Questionable with a thumb sprain? FFS, just play him.
I'm fully onboard with not risking it when it comes to muscle injuries, but this shit has to stop.
Boomer talk, but finger injuries weren't even considered as injuries unless it was a fracture back in the day. Everyone had at least one bad finger.
Fox just played most of the season with a fucked up finger.

As for Sochan starting, it actually makes sense because as we've endessly debated last season him and Castle can't play together due to spacing. But if Castle doesn't play, we need a POA defender.
I'd personally rather start Bryant, but whatever.

Hart, Robinson and Shamet are out for the Knicks, so it kind of evens out.

 

[Russ]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2006213764790538412

Spurs may need to give Riley Minix a look at some point.

 

[spurs2112]

Spurs may need to give Riley Minix a look at some point.

Didn't they cut him a week or so ago?

 

[spursfanfromafar]

Spurs may need to give Riley Minix a look at some point.

Minix no longer even a Two Way Player. That slot went first to Kyle Mangas and then to Stanley Umude. The Spurs' best shooter outside of the top 9 is clearly DJGarcia... who I guess will get some minutes against the Knicks because of Vassell and/or Castle's absence. And DJG deserves it. He has been on a tear averaging 27 odd points in the G-League (but for some reason he is shooting only 21% on the three!; I guess small sample size of just five games though).