SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama and most of his San Antonio teammates will make their playoff debut Sunday in opposition to Portland.
Much has been manufactured from the shortage of playoff expertise on San Antonio’s youthful roster, however the Spurs even have a ton of postseason information to lean on.
It comes within the type of postseason appearances by veteran gamers like De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, Luke Kornet, Bismack Biyombo and Kelly Olynyk, and employees like affiliate head coach Sean Sweeney and assistants Corliss Williamson and Rashard Lewis.
But the best supply of knowledge and inspiration comes from the franchise’s iconic chief, Gregg Popovich.
A fixture on the Spurs apply facility whereas he continues to rehabilitate from a stroke suffered Nov. 2, 2024, Popovich addressed the group earlier this week.
“(Popovich said) just to be us, not to really do anything different from what we’ve been doing all season,” San Antonio guard Stephon Castle mentioned. “He gave us another perspective on how well we’ve been playing and the position we’ve put ourselves in.”
Sound recommendation for a group that completed with the league’s second-best file at 62-20 and received the Southwest Division for the primary time since 2017.
Still, no quantity of recommendation can substitute motion, however the Spurs are keen for his or her first playoff sequence since 2019.
Deni Avdija had 41 factors and 12 assists because the Trail Blazers rallied to beat the Phoenix Suns 114-110 on Tuesday to earn the seventh seed.
San Antonio veterans Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie are within the postseason for the primary time after enjoying by way of all or most of six seasons of futility.
“Me and KJ are super excited,” mentioned Vassell, who’s in his fifth season. “We’ve been talking about it over and over, even were talking about it this morning. It’s just good to be in this position, not only just for us, but for the community and for the fans that’s been here and kind of waiting. Its been a long time, overdue, but we’re here and ready to go.”
Wembanyama (22), Castle (21), Champagnie (24) and Vassell (25), Dylan Harper (20) and Carter Bryant (20) lead an brisk and athletic roster that completed third in each offensive and defensive effectivity.
“I don’t think there is anything as far as in the basketball realm that I think we’re nervous about,” Fox mentioned. “Obviously, people talk about experience and all those things, whatever it may be. We’ve to go out there and play basketball and I think we have an extremely good basketball team.”
Welcome Back
Portland coach Tiago Splitter performed 5 seasons in San Antonio starting in 2010, together with being a key reserve on the Spurs’ 2014 championship group.
Splitter, Manu Ginobili, Boris Diaw and Patty Mills established the group’s “Coffee Gang,” primarily manufactured from Spurs reserves who spent loads of time on the street consuming espresso and having lunch collectively.
As deep as their friendships are, Splitter is aware of these bonds solely go to this point with regards to who Ginobili and Diaw will cheer for on this sequence.
“I think there is a romantic feeling about it, but that’s it,” Splitter advised reporters. “Manu is Spurs for sure. Boris, we’ll see. I got to invite him for a couple glasses of wine.”
On a Run
San Antonio is 10-0 at house in opposition to Portland within the postseason, together with arguably probably the most impactful victory in franchise historical past.
The Spurs exorcised a historical past of postseason futility with what’s now often called the “Memorial Day Miracle” in Game 2 of the 1999 Western Conference Finals on May 31 on the Alamodome.
After trailing by 18 factors, San Antonio rallied to win on Sean Elliott’s 3-pointer. Elliott tiptoed alongside the sideline, spinning on his toes and holding his heels elevated to keep away from stepping out of bounds to empty a 3-pointer that proved to be the game-winning shot.
San Antonio went on to comb the sequence and win its first of 5 NBA championships.
Turnover Prone
Portland averaged 17.3 turnovers whereas committing 1,417, probably the most within the league this season.
All Good
San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson grew to become a bit of superstitious when reminded that the Spurs enter the postseason wholesome after battling minor accidents within the remaining weeks of the season.
“I’ve got to,” Johnson mentioned, rapping a knuckle to his brow as a result of there was no wooden inside arm’s attain to knock on.
Wembanyama missed three of the group’s remaining seven video games after struggling a left rib contusion through the first half of San Antonio’s 115-102 victory over Philadelphia on April 6.
Castle missed two of the ultimate three video games with proper knee and left foot soreness.
Harper injured his left thumb and didn’t play within the fourth quarter of a 128-118 loss to Denver in its regular-season finale on April 12.
All three will play within the sequence opener on Sunday.
Top Secret
Wembanyama didn’t play in opposition to Portland this season, battling ankle and rib accidents as San Antonio received the season sequence 2-1.
Considering the Trail Blazers haven’t seen Wembanyama throughout the perfect of his three seasons within the NBA, the Frenchman was jokingly requested if he might be the Spurs’ secret weapon on this sequence.
“The best-kept secret,” Wembanyama mentioned, laughing afterward.