Game Thread Spurs (58-18) @ Clippers (39-37) (Thur 4/2/2026) [9:30PM CDT]

[BatManu20]

We're back gentlemen. Quick turnaround as we're in LA tonight on the 2nd leg of a b2b to take on a Clippers team have won 5 of their last 6, but are coming off a 10-point loss vs. Portland on Tuesday. Before that, they'd won 5 straight games @ DAL, vs. MIL, vs. TOR, @ IND, and @ MIL.

IR below.


Clippers are currently:

- 16th in NetRtg
- 11th in Off. Rtg
- 19th in Def. Rtg
- 23rd in PPG (at 113.9)
- 4th in eFG% (at 56.1%)
- 7th in 3PT% (at 36.7%)
- 1st in FT% (at 82.3%)
- 28th in Pace (at 97.13 possessions per 48 min)
- 20th in Reb.%
- 23rd in Off. Reb.%
- 29th in Ast.%
- 26th in Ast/TO Ratio

This will likely be our toughest game since we hosted Boston 2 weeks ago, especially being on the 2nd leg of a b2b and against a team that always seems to play us well. Nephew will be playing so Castle and Co. will have their hands full on the perimeter. Hopefully we'll have everyone available to go tomorrow too.

Our guys will need to lock in and come in much more focused for this one than they were for last night's game vs. GS though tbh. With that said, no reason we can't go in there and get another W before our showdown with Denver on Saturday. No excuses.

Let's get it.

 

[BatManu20]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2039796665524105275

 

[spursistan]

I'm somewhat worried about this game. They have played us pretty close in both times we played this season. Need much better defensive effort from Castle on Kawhi and not play loose on the other end. Leonard is probably his toughest matchup in the league: too big, too strong and too wily for Castle at this stage. Other than that, we also need more contribution from starters other than Wemby along with Keldon/Harper. We can't suddenly shift to a Wemby-centric offense because he's gunning for MVP. You can do that against shitty and tanking teams but not against a well-coached, vet-laden squad like the Clippers.

 

[BatManu20]

Clips will definitely be dialed in coming off a loss as they're currently battling for the 8-Seed with Portland. They'll also be looking for some revenge from our comeback victory over them 2 and a half weeks ago tbh.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2039584424312942897

 

[BatManu20]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2039527776743772655

 

[BatManu20]

Should be noted how well Darius Garland is playing for them right now too.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038376538429964325

 

[100%Duncan]

wemby gonna go for 40 again I can feel it

 

[spurs3223]

I'm still debating whether I'd rather face the Clips or the Suns in the playoffs. Both are relatively dangerous.

I feel like this Suns team is significantly better than their record, considering their injuries. But Kawhi is obviously a problem.

On the other hand, I have a lot of friends who are Suns fans and over the course of the past few decades, it's always been a little extra fun to lick their tears after we eliminate them from the playoffs. But then again, beating Nephew would also be delicious in its own right. I wish he hadn't joined the Clippers cuz I generally want to root for em. I had really finally gotten over the whole "Fukkk Kawhi" thing a couple years ago, and then now it appears I couldn't 'see the forest for the trees' and I'm back to being physically incapable of rooting for him on a basketball court.

I guess they'll barely be punished for it tho. I wonder how weird shit will get as they bend over backwards to accommodate em.

 

[timtonymanu]

Potential 1st round matchup. I think our guys will be locked in.

 

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I'm still debating whether I'd rather face the Clips or the Suns in the playoffs. Both are relatively dangerous.

I feel like this Suns team is significantly better than their record, considering their injuries. But Kawhi is obviously a problem.

On the other hand, I have a lot of friends who are Suns fans and over the course of the past few decades, it's always been a little extra fun to lick their tears after we eliminate them from the playoffs. But then again, beating Nephew would also be delicious in its own right. I wish he hadn't joined the Clippers cuz I generally want to root for em. I had really finally gotten over the whole "Fukkk Kawhi" thing a couple years ago, and then now it appears I couldn't 'see the forest for the trees' and I'm back to being physically incapable of rooting for him on a basketball court.

I guess they'll barely be punished for it tho. I wonder how weird shit will get as they bend over backwards to accommodate em.

Maybe we will have a better idea after tonight but I would rather face the suns. I feel like there are much better chances of us comfortably beating Phoenix as opppsed to the clippers who feel like a trickier matchup. Much harder for us to stop Kawhi than Booker.

 

[LeBowen]

Maybe we will have a better idea after tonight but I would rather face the suns. I feel like there are much better chances of us comfortably beating Phoenix as opppsed to the clippers who feel like a trickier matchup. Much harder for us to stop Kawhi than Booker.

Suns: 5th in 3PTA and 3PT%.
Clippers 22nd in 3PTA and 3PT%.

Elite 3pt shooting on high volume is the only way to beat us, especially if we're talking weaker teams.
Stars can get theirs, it's not that big of a concern, Clippers don't have the firepower or depth to match up with us.
Garland is too small and gets abused by everyone, Lopez is ancient and too slow on defense and they don't have another big.

 

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Suns: 5th in 3PTA and 3PT%.
Clippers 22nd in 3PTA and 3PT%.

Elite 3pt shooting on high volume is the only way to beat us, especially if we're talking weaker teams.
Stars can get theirs, it's not that big of a concern, Clippers don't have the firepower or depth to match up with us.
Garland is too small and gets abused by everyone, Lopez is ancient and too slow on defense and they don't have another big.

I agree opposing teams who shoot well from outside can beat us, but clippers have played us tougher than the suns have on recent months.

Clippers are also #2 in the entire league for FG% and shot really well against us in the most recent matchup before we turned it up late in the third quarter. Clippers know how to get easy buckets and get our players in foul trouble. They’re also best in the league at Free throw percentage so don’t leave too many points behind there.


Feels like we don’t struggle much with Phoenix much since the new year but very curious to see how it goes tonight. I can’t see suns or clippers pushing us past 5 games.

 

[LeBowen]

I agree opposing teams who shoot well from outside can beat us, but clippers have played us tougher than the suns have on recent months. Feels like we don’t struggle much with Phoenix much since the new year but very curious to see how it goes tonight. I can’t see suns or clippers pushing us past 5 games.

Agreed with the 5 games take and that's why I'd rather play the Clippers, they're less likely to get a bs win over us by getting hot from behind the arc.
And I don't want Brooks injuring anyone.

As I said before, we need to destroy nephew for the new era narrative. Beating the Suns would be just another day in the office.

 

[bozhemoi]

This is the sort of game Pop wouldn't mind dropping during win streaks late in a season -- reminds the players what losing is like.

 

[LeBowen]

This is the sort of game Pop wouldn't mind dropping during win streaks late in a season -- reminds the players what losing is like.

These upcoming games will be a good test for the playoffs.
Clippers and Portland fighting for that 8th seed, both will give us their best shot.
Sixers got everyone back and are trying to avoid the play-in.
Nuggets need no explanation.

We've grown so much during this season when it comes to not fucking around against teams we should be beating with ease.
Started the season 22-7, the only 15+ point wins were on the opening night against the Mavs and Hawks blowout at home.
Then we beat the Thunder by 35 over 2 games.

Since then until the all-star break 4 out of 15 wins were by 15+ points.
After the all-star break 13 out of 20 wins were by 15+ points.

This team is way better than it was just months ago and it might be a homer take, but I think it has by far the highest ceiling since KD Warriors.
Even if we keep this 10 man rotation and don't add anyone, we'll be by far the best team in the league if the young guys keep developing on their current trajectories with only Barnes and potentially Kornet being on the decline.

 

[spurs3223]

I think a healthy Suns are as tough an out as the Clippers, even with Kawhi playing well. They can bomb from range and somehow Dillon Brooks really elevates that team. I look at that roster and still can't believe they are winning so many, especially considering their injuries.

But lets see how this Clippers game goes.

 

[bozhemoi]

These upcoming games will be a good test for the playoffs.
Clippers and Portland fighting for that 8th seed, both will give us their best shot.
Sixers got everyone back and are trying to avoid the play-in.
Nuggets need no explanation.

We've grown so much during this season when it comes to not fucking around against teams we should be beating with ease.
Started the season 22-7, the only 15+ point wins were on the opening night against the Mavs and Hawks blowout at home.
Then we beat the Thunder by 35 over 2 game.

Since then until the all-star break 4 out of 15 wins were by 15+ points.
After the all-star break 13 out of 20 wins were by 15+ points.

This team is way better than it was just months ago and it might be a homer take, but I think it has by far the highest ceiling since KD Warriors.
Even if we keep this 10 man rotation and don't add anyone, we'll be by far the best team in the league if the young guys keep developing on their current trajectories with only Barnes and potentially Kornet being on the decline.

I agree that they look very good, but the games lately have shown some bad habits against bad teams where they know they don't have to play sharp and still win. I don't mind dropping games to get the hunger back.

 

[Mugen]

^I actually agree with Mr Booty tbh

 

[1kangaroo]

I hope they play a little tighter tonight they were kind of sloppy last night but GSW are a terrible team with all the injuries and they still coasted to a victory

 

[Dbreiden83080]

Feels like a loss TBH although I hope I am dead wrong.. Late in the season to have a back to back with the Clippers being rested is going to be very tough. This loss would 100% kill chances at the number 1 seed. But seems like we lost that a while ago.. It is all about how we are playing come playoff time. Just fine tune things the last few games..

 

[bozhemoi]

^I actually agree with Mr Booty tbh

Hit that like and subscribe button.

 

[LeBowen]

Feels like a loss TBH although I hope I am dead wrong.. Late in the season to have a back to back with the Clippers being rested is going to be very tough. This loss would 100% kill chances at the number 1 seed. But seems like we lost that a while ago.. It is all about how we are playing come playoff time. Just fine tune things the last few games..

All the rest talk is pointless since Spurs have been basically resting for a month now, with Castle being the only one who played more than 30 minutes in a game for two weeks now.

 

[BatManu20]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2039717639308685685

 

[Mugen]

When does the injury report come out for b2b games?

 

[LeBowen]

When does the injury report come out for b2b games?

1pm local time, so in 4 hours.