Game Thread Spurs (27-12) @ Thunder (33-7) (Tue 1/13/26) [7:00PM CST]

[XenoThirteen]

Since we are exceeding expectations and didn't expect to contend for a Chip this year anyway, that may be good enough for the FO.

I really hope the FO recalibrates their expectations with the nearly half season sample size. The spurs always seem to lose when they get lazy with turnovers (I know, young team and mistakes) or when they get lazy on defense and let someone get into rhythm with all those wide open threes.

It’s also glaringly obvious that none of the volume three point shooters are that consistent. A lot of this is a coaching issue; they really need to drill more set plays and refine/streamline the roles of the players. They need to have bread and butter plays to call whenever they’re sluggish offensively.

A lot of the problem is personnel as well. Our 3 headed guard lineup has been mightily struggling since opposing teams started packing the paint. I actually thought Fox shooting a career high from 3 fixes a lot of these issues, but he has regressed to around his career averages, so the lack of shooting is really so glaring right now.

That said, it sure looks like we are much better than anticipated and it would honestly feel like a disappointment if they just sit on their butts and let the season play out. This team has so many flaws but are still the two seed. They’re on the verge of something great. I hope they don’t waste it by being too conservative.

 

[tearsofmorningdew]

iHart played well against us, but OKC seemed to go away from him in second halves of those 3 games... but that's also when pulled away from them in games 2 and 3... this feels like a big loss for them tomorrow, but we'll see. I hope it leads to more Chet v Wemby, where Vic has and should continue to dominate... could be a game where maybe Wemby overplays it and comes back to earth tho...

hope our poor 3 pt shooting rubs off on them. I think they infected us during that 3 game run smh

 

[Snake Eyes]

It’s not inconceivable the Spurs fall out of the top six with the Suns coming on strong. I don’t think this will happen with a healthy Victor but our guards better get better than they are playing now. I still would love picking up a sniper off the bench. Would give us much needed insurance if the perimeter players are cold from deep. I don’t expect us to bring in a starting PF at the deadline.

 

[tearsofmorningdew]

It’s not inconceivable the Spurs fall out of the top six with the Suns coming on strong. I don’t think this will happen with a healthy Victor but our guards better get better than they are playing now. I still would love picking up a sniper off the bench. Would give us much needed insurance if the perimeter players are cold from deep. I don’t expect us to bring in a starting PF at the deadline.

wish we had a duncan robinson type. everyone's clowning the rockets for being the 6th seed but it's not like they're far at all behind us in the L column.

 

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I’d want to avoid minny and Phoenix in round 1

 

[scott]

I really hope the FO recalibrates their expectations with the nearly half season sample size. The spurs always seem to lose when they get lazy with turnovers (I know, young team and mistakes) or when they get lazy on defense and let someone get into rhythm with all those wide open threes.

It’s also glaringly obvious that none of the volume three point shooters are that consistent. A lot of this is a coaching issue; they really need to drill more set plays and refine/streamline the roles of the players. They need to have bread and butter plays to call whenever they’re sluggish offensively.

A lot of the problem is personnel as well. Our 3 headed guard lineup has been mightily struggling since opposing teams started packing the paint. I actually thought Fox shooting a career high from 3 fixes a lot of these issues, but he has regressed to around his career averages, so the lack of shooting is really so glaring right now.

That said, it sure looks like we are much better than anticipated and it would honestly feel like a disappointment if they just sit on their butts and let the season play out. This team has so many flaws but are still the two seed. They’re on the verge of something great. I hope they don’t waste it by being too conservative.

Just wanted to say... I agree 100% with you. I'm just not confident the FO does.

They constantly preach "not skipping steps" and "patience". In Wemby's rookie year and in the offseason that follows, they didn't make any significant moves in reaction to what Vic showed (our big moves were CP3 and Barnes, in addition to drafting Castle). They stuck with patience. The only made the Fox move when Fox basically forced his way here.

To their credit, it proved to be the right move. And I think that might give them confidence to just continue with "patience".

I hope they see the opportunity to make some incremental moves... I'm just not sure they will. I'm hoping I'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[scott]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2010867191709827308

 

[spursparker9]

iHart is out right. Maybe let's try the French Vanilla lineup

 

[DaSlicer]

Nah I want the Warriors. We will beat them in a series, and it will be satisfying to send them home. Minnesota would actually be a threat to take us out in round 1.

I would love to see the Spurs end the Curry-Draymond Warriors era. I think if they finally lose in round 1 then they are permanently done being a team that is even worth taking seriously. With all that being said I have my fears that the Spurs would get taken out in Round 1 by them. The Warriors the last few years have been able to take out inexperienced teams in the playoffs despite being a low seed. They took out the Kings a few years ago and last year the Rockets. Both of those teams were inexperienced and it showed when they played the Warriors. Also both of those teams bigmen were soft and got punked by Draymond. I'm concerned that Draymond could also punk Victor since he's going to get away with fouling and mauling him on every possession much like he did with Sabonis and Sengun. I feel the only way for a bigman to overcome Draymond's dirty play is they have to be able to constantly post him up and back him down in the post like Jokic does. Victor doesn't have the physical ability to do it. Lastly Curry was able to take out both the Kings and Rockets by going super nova. He can go super nova for one series before coming down to earth. I'm not sure the Spurs can overcome him going supernova for 1 series.

 

[The Ballsbreakers]

Next 4 games..

@ OKC Tues
VS Bucks Thu
VS Minn Sat
VS Utah Mon

So 3 home games coming up.. I have given up trying to figure why we play so well against the best team in basketball? So they could finally whoop us on Tues but maybe NOT. Home games VS Bucks and Utah feel like must wins.. Hopefully get some payback with T-Wolves...

I reaaaaally want to get that payback against the Wolves.

 

[The Ballsbreakers]

It doesn't really mean a lot even winning 4 games in a row against them in the regular season. I'd rather be 0-4 in the RS and win 4 games against them in the playoffs. I'm sure the Thunder aren't too worried about RS games.

How'd you know you'd get that opportunity (to win 4 games in the playoffs) after being 0-4 against them in the regular season? You might not even get there in the first place.
Being 4-0 against the champs is not just a regular season thing. It's not even entirely about confidence.
IT MEANS YOU LEGITIMATELY MATCH UP WELL AGAINST THEM.

 

[CGD]

What a brutal stretch this has been

 

[CGD]

I reaaaaally want to get that payback against the Wolves.

Hell, I’ll settle for payback against the Jazz lol. Still one of the stupidest losses of the year

 

[Dbreiden83080]

I reaaaaally want to get that payback against the Wolves.

I think we will get it.

 

[NASpurs]

The Kings are pounding that Lakers' ass so that's good.

 

[NASpurs]

Of course when I post this the Lakers cut down the lead to 8 with 3 minutes left in the game.