Can San Antonio start 3-0 for the first time since 2019–20, or will Brooklyn finally grab its first win of the season?
Game Details
- Matchup: Brooklyn Nets (0–2) at San Antonio Spurs (2–0)
- Location: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
- Tip-off: Sunday, 2 PM ET
- Watch: NBA TV / Local Broadcast
Spurs: Searching for a 3-0 Start
The San Antonio Spurs have quietly become one of the more balanced and intriguing young teams in the league. They’ve opened the year with two statement wins, including a thrilling 120–116 overtime victory over the Pelicans on Friday night.
Victor Wembanyama nearly posted a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds, and nine blocks, dominating both ends of the floor before fouling out early in OT. The story, however, was the supporting cast:
- Devin Vassell chipped in 23 points and key late-game buckets.
- Stephon Castle showed poise beyond his years, scoring 16 points and playing strong defense.
- Julian Champagnie, Harrison Barnes, and Luke Kornet all made clutch plays down the stretch, with Kornet’s 14 points and 12 boards off the bench proving pivotal.
Rookies Dylan Harper (13 points) and Keldon Johnson (10 rebounds) added valuable depth as San Antonio displayed improved ball movement and defensive communication.
Coach Mitch Johnson praised his team’s composure:
“It takes a lot of mental focus, fortitude, and communication. The guys stayed connected and made plays when it mattered most.”
The Spurs’ most considerable improvement so far? Depth and chemistry. Even when Wemby fouled out, San Antonio kept its structure and closed out a tough win on the road — something last year’s squad rarely managed.
Nets: Searching for Answers
The Brooklyn Nets limp into San Antonio at 0–2, searching for answers. Their defense has been nonexistent, and their supposed “firepower” isn’t nearly enough to mask it.
Brooklyn fell 131–124 to Cleveland on Friday, and the score was closer than the game really was. The Nets trailed by as many as 25 points, never led, and gave up wide-open looks all night.
Cam Thomas poured in 33 points, Michael Porter Jr. added 31, and Ziaire Williams had 25 off the bench, but it wasn’t enough to overcome defensive lapses and sloppy starts.
Rookie Egor Demin hit a late 3 to make it enjoyable, but the Nets missed their next five shots as the Cavs closed the door.
Coach Jordi Fernandez summed it up bluntly:
“It’s got to matter to compete. You have to be mad when you don’t win.”
And here’s the truth: Brooklyn’s effort just hasn’t matched its talk. Their offense can flash, but their defense is soft, and their interior presence is even weaker. Nic Claxton, their starting center, continues to look overpaid and overmatched, failing to anchor the paint or protect the rim. The Nets are giving up 133.5 points per game, one of the league’s worst marks through two contests.
With little rim protection, no authentic point guard leadership, and poor chemistry, Brooklyn is shaping up to be one of the league’s worst.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Wembanyama vs. Claxton – This one could get ugly. Wemby’s size, touch, and timing should dominate an undersized Claxton in the paint.
- Thomas vs. Vassell – Expect Thomas to get his buckets, but Vassell’s defense could frustrate him into inefficient stretches.
- Bench Depth – The Spurs’ second unit has been elite early. Brooklyn’s? Inconsistent and unproven.
Prediction
The Spurs are deeper, more connected, and playing in front of their home crowd for the first time this season. Brooklyn’s defense is suspect, their chemistry is off, and their so-called “firepower” looks weak against real structure and discipline.