The San Antonio Spurs have looked prepared from the opening tip of the season, regardless of who has suited up on a given night. Injuries have tested that reality early. Dylan Harper has missed time. DeâAaron Fox has dealt with an injury. Stephon Castle recently returned, as did Luke Kornet. Even so, the Spurs have continued to win.
The most eye-opening stretch came without Victor Wembanyama. San Antonio went 9-3 during his absence, a run that forced observers to reconsider how much the team relies on one player. When Wembanyama returned against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals, he came off the bench for the first time and immediately changed the gameâs tone.
San Antonio snapped Oklahoma Cityâs 16-game winning streak with a two-point victory that sent the Spurs to the NBA Cup Finals in Las Vegas. Wembanyama delivered the nightâs defining moment with a midrange jumper over Alex Caruso late in the game. In just over 20 minutes, he finished as a plus-21. The Spurs were minus-23 during the minutes he sat. The result put San Antonio on center stage and reinforced a growing belief around the league.
Spurs Show Identity Under Pressure
The Thunder entered the matchup as one of the NBAâs most dominant teams, but the Spurs never looked overwhelmed. Oklahoma City made multiple runs, yet San Antonio stayed disciplined and committed to its approach. That composure mattered more than shot-making early.
The Spurs struggled from deep in the first half, opening the game 2-of-14 from three in the first quarter and 4-of-12 in the second. Oklahoma City built a lead that reached 16 points, but San Antonio did not rush possessions or abandon its structure. Wembanyama responded with five points and five rebounds in seven minutes, trimming the deficit to three by halftime.
The second half followed a similar script. Oklahoma City tried to assert control behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, but San Antonio absorbed the pressure. The Spurs outscored the Thunder 65-60 after halftime and dictated pace until the final buzzer. Only Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander reached double figures in the second half, a testament to how consistently San Antonio disrupted Oklahoma Cityâs rhythm.
âOne Hero Goes Down, Another Steps Upâ
That collective steadiness stood out to NBA analyst Dusty Garza, who framed the Spursâ identity in memorable terms after the game.
âThe team just stayed focused. They are deep; they are very deep,â Garza said in an interview. âI wrote an essay that they look like a Marvel movie, you know, one hero goes down, another hero steps up.â
Garzaâs comparison captured what has defined San Antonioâs season. The Spurs have weathered injuries across the roster without leaning on excuses. Mitch Johnson has kept the group ready, adjusting roles while maintaining accountability on both ends of the floor. Guards and bigs have moved in and out of the lineup, yet the teamâs habits have remained intact.
San Antonioâs pace, ball pressure, and willingness to attack have created problems for elite opponents. Against Oklahoma City, that approach limited clean looks and forced difficult decisions late. The Spurs did not rely on perfect execution. They relied on trust and composure.
The NBA Cup run has elevated San Antonioâs profile and reframed expectations. An 18-7 record, built through adversity, has drawn national attention. The Spurs have shown they can beat the leagueâs best, even without Wembanyama carrying the load every night.
Now, the focus shifts to the championship game in Las Vegas. Whether the Spurs lift the trophy or not, their message has already landed. This team wins through identity, depth, and belief. As Garza suggested, the power comes from the group, not just the star at the center.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post NBA Analyst Compares Spurs’ Depth and Identity to a Marvel Movie appeared first on Heavy Sports.