'Start the Game the Right Way': Spurs Facing Alarming First Half Trends

The San Antonio Spurs have lost three straight games, in large part to sluggish starts.

The San Antonio Spurs are continuing to try and improve. After dropping their third straight game to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, it’s becoming apparent that the Spurs are a first-half team.

The Spurs were outscored in the first half in all of the first halves in the recent losses but were able to come out of the locker room and win the second half. However, they dig themselves into holes that they can’t get out of, and the second-half effort is too little, too late.

Boston, MA: San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks while Jaylen Brown (7) and Al Horford (42) of the Boston Celtics look on. Jan. 17, 2024 / Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

It shouldn't take a halftime speech or us getting our asses kicked to respond,” said Doug McDermott. “It should be like that right from the get-go. That's on all of us to start the game the right way.”

The Spurs went into the half down by 25 against Boston and were in similar situations against the Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls. The Spurs went on to lose, despite huge efforts down the stretch to come back.

“We just got to play consistent for 48 minutes,” said Devin Vassell. “Pop (Popovich) preaches that all the time. We know it and we just got to play better…we can’t put our heads down.”

Moving forward, a healthy Victor Wembanyama will keep the Spurs competitive. Still facing a minutes restriction, he is only averaging 24 minutes over his last 11 games. As he spends more time on the court, the Spurs will have their best player available for longer.

Gregg Popovich Jokes at Derrick White Sitting Out Spurs Reunion: 'He's Afraid of Us'

Another factor has been the total absence of Devin Vassell. Against Chicago and Charlotte, he didn’t manage to score more than five points. Luckily, against the Celtics, he returned to form and posted 21 points. During those three games, he is 1-of-18 from three.

The Spurs have players to lean on, like Wembanyama and Vassell, but when they can’t contribute to the offense for whatever reason, the Spurs stagnate, and the result is ugly losses.