The San Antonio Spurs are starting to look like the next franchise with a legitimate chance to rise to the top of the NBA hierarchy, and recent results have added weight to that belief.
A narrow but telling 111-109 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals served as a statement that the Spurs are no longer just a rebuilding team centered on potential. They are beginning to resemble a group capable of challenging the league’s elite sooner than expected.
Tony Parker, who helped deliver four championships to San Antonio and remains closely tied to the organization, summed up the growing optimism around the team. Speaking before that win over Oklahoma City, Parker acknowledged the Thunder‘s dominance but made it clear the Spurs believe they are building toward the same level. After Saturday’s result, that confidence only intensified.
A young and ascending talent
The foundation of San Antonio‘s rise is clear. The roster is filled with young, ascending talent, headlined by Victor Wembanyama, who is only 21 and already capable of altering games on both ends of the floor. Even in limited action against Oklahoma City, Wembanyama caused problems for one of the league’s best defenses and held his own against Chet Holmgren.
More importantly, the Spurs have shown they can remain competitive even when Wembanyama is not on the floor, a sign that the supporting cast is developing in meaningful ways. That growth extends to the backcourt, where San Antonio‘s guards have played with confidence and physicality.
De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper give the Spurs a group that is not intimidated by elite opponents and is committed to defending at a high level. Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams noted that San Antonio‘s guards take pride in their defense, which has already made matchups between the teams more demanding and competitive.
The foundations have not changed at the coaching level
Coaching has also played a significant role in the Spurs‘ progress. Even in the post-Gregg Popovich era, San Antonio remains well-structured and disciplined. The team consistently plays the right way, showing an understanding of spacing, defensive rotations, and physicality that belies its youth. That continuity has allowed the Spurs to stay solid throughout the season, regardless of lineup changes or injuries.
Wembanyama himself has emphasized that the team’s improvement is not limited to individual performances. After returning from a brief absence, he pointed to how much his teammates have grown and how the Spurs are winning more often than they are losing, something that is new for him at the professional level. For a young core, that shift matters as much as any single win.
The broader Western Conference landscape also works in San Antonio‘s favor. While teams like the Lakers, Nuggets, and Rockets remain competitive, none offer the same long-term upside built around a generational talent. Oklahoma City is the standard right now, but even the Thunder acknowledge that nothing in the NBA is guaranteed over a multi-year span. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander admitted there is a real possibility the Spurs could reach that level, citing their youth, talent, and style of play.
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