The San Antonio Spurs have won 16 of their last 17 games, and are 2.5 games back from the Oklahoma City Thunder for first place in the Western Conference standings. With just 17 games remaining, the Spurs have the sixth-easiest schedule through the end of the season. The Thunder have the fourth-hardest remaining schedule.
What was once thought to be a season defined by ramping up for playoff contention could realistically end with the Spurs holding the league’s best record and number-one seed in the West. San Antonio has done it with shot-making all over the floor and elite defense on the other end. The Spurs have a +13.1 net rating, with a 122.1 offensive rating and 108.9 defensive rating in the last 17 games.
Over this stretch, they’ve gotten great performances from their role players. Keldon Johnson has had a major impact off the bench on both ends, Dylan Harper is coming into his own as a young guard, and Julian Champagnie has shone as a 3&D wing. Soon, the team will welcome Harrison Barnes back to the lineup and have even more shooting to surround their star big man, Victor Wembanyama.
But is the support cast’s stellar play enough to catch OKC? The Thunder are 9-1 in their last 10 games, winning six straight games. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing MVP-level basketball while the team shows no signs of slowing down. Without any matchups with the Thunder on the schedule, San Antonio will rely on other teams to help them move up in the standings.
Will the Spurs get the number one seed? Which role player needs to stay hot as we head into April? Vote in the poll below and we’ll be back with responses next week.
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