Inside The Spurs

Spurs Starter, Monday, November 25, 2024: Keldon Johnson Makes Intercom Announcement for Harrison Barnes

Your daily briefing on what's going on with the San Antonio Spurs, including news, draft and more.

Matt Guzman

Nov 23, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) dribbles in front of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the first half at Frost Bank Center.
Nov 23, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) dribbles in front of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the first half at Frost Bank Center. / Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
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Happy Monday, Por Vida fans! Welcome to your morning Spurs Starter.

For the first time in his 13-year career, San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week after three straight 20-point performances against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors.

The news came Monday afternoon when San Antonio was already aboard its plane headed for Salt Lake City for a game against the Jazz for the fourth and final time of the season. Before takeoff, however, Keldon Johnson made sure to give his teammate his flowers.

"I've got to make an announcement man," the younger forward said over the plane's intercom while pointing at Barnes. "HB, Western Conference Player of the Week. Give it up for "'Unc.'"

The Spurs clapped and cheered for Barnes while he shyly accepted his praise, and while he might not have loved all the attention in the moment, the message was clear: he'd played extraordinarily well, and rightfully earned his nod.

Now, on to the headlines:

THE NEWS

1. READ:Ā STEPHON CASTLE SHOULDERS LOAD AGAINST CURRY, WARRIORS

Guarding Stephen Curry was just half the battle for San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle, who stepped up on both ends to fuel the Silver & Black to its third straight win.

Read the full story at the link above.

2. READ:Ā AWAITING REINFORCEMENTS, SPURS 'HAVE TO WIN' GAMES

San Antonio is likely adding Victor Wembanyama back to the lineup against the Warriors, but whether he, along with any other still-hampered Spurs, come back or not, their mission remains the same.

Read the full story at the link above.

Nov 21, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) dunks during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Frost Bank Center. / Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

3. WATCH:Ā WHAT WOULD A NEW ERA LOOK LIKE IN SAN ANTONIO?

With reports surfacing this morning of a planned revitalization of downtown San Antonio, how much would the Spurs benefit from a new home, and what might it look like?

Read the full story at the link above.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE

No game scheduled. Next: @ Utah Jazz. 8:00 p.m. CT. Tuesday, Nov. 26. (TV: FanDuel Sports Network)

MEDIA DAY, TRAINING CAMP

Now that the Media Day is over and the 2024-25 season is set to kick off, you can check out the stories surrounding the team as it gears up for the beginning of the regular season.

-Ā The Ultimate Guide to Spurs Training Camp

- Everything Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich Said at Media Day

- Victor Wembanyama is 'Funnier' as Spurs Prepare for New Season

- Chris Paul and Gregg Popovich, Once Rivals, Now Set to Join Forces

- Wembanyama Adds 25 Pounds Ahead of His Second NBA Season

- Chris Paul Enters San Antonio as Polished Veteran, Mutual Choice

- Keldon Johnson Is Back For Year 6, and Feels Like the Old Man

- Wembanyama 'Working on Fundamentals' Ahead of Sophomore Year

- Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul Share Comical Moment During Media Day

- Gregg Popovich Looking Forward To Season of Improvemen

- Castle Impresses Spurs Early with Versatility and 'Own Pace'

- Wembanyama Sets Next Big Goal: Elevating His Spurs Teammates

- Alpine F1 Team Announce New Era Clothing Collaboration

- Gregg Popovich Likes New, Improved Victor Wembanyama

- Is Stephon Castle's Jump Shot A Genuine Problem?


-Ā Jeremy Sochan Ready to Thrive at 'Natural' Position

-Ā Will Julian Champagnie Start In Place of Devin Vassell?

-Ā Zach Collins 'Feeling Great' After Shoulder Surgery

-Ā Harrison Barnes Speaks on Young Spurs' Winning Mentality

-Ā Castle Speaks on Spurs' 'Aggressive' Defensive Mindset

-Ā Keldon Johnson Focused on Getting Better, Sticking Around

-Ā Champagnie's Approach to Begin New Season? 'Just Keep Shooting'

-Ā How Can Sandro Mamukelashvili Earn Rotational Minutes?

THE FULL SCHEDULE

The San Antonio Spurs played their first game of the year on Oct. 25, kicking off the second season of Victor Wembanyama's young NBA career. Now that it's through, here's a preview of some upcoming dates and times (all in CST) throughout the season to watch for:

San Antonio Spurs Regular Season Schedule

Dec. 10: NBA Cup Knockout Rounds Begin
Dec. 25: MSG Christmas at New York Knicks

Dec. 31: New Year's vs. LA Clippers

Jan. 23-25: Paris Games vs. Indiana Pacers

Feb. 3: Rodeo Road Trip Begins at Memphis Grizzlies

Feb. 14-16: All-Star Break

Feb. 20: Spurs Get Moody vs. Phoenix Suns
Feb. 21: Spurs Get Moody vs. Detroit Pistons

March 21: Longest Home Stand Ends vs. Philadelphia 76ers

April 6: Final Road Trip Begins at Portland Trail Blazers
April 13: Final Home Game vs. Toronto Raptors

AROUND THE NBA

Catch up on some of the league-wide headlines below:

Also, be sure to follow along with Spurs On SI'sĀ NBA tracker, with more detailed breakdowns of major league news and updates.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"She knows her stuff. She's confident. The he-she thing doesn't fit at all. She's a coach, and just happens to be a she. That's it. If it was a he, and more qualified, I would have hired a he. But this she was qualified, and that's who I wanted."

-Ā Gregg Popovich on Becky Hammon

THIS DAY IN SPURS HISTORY

NovemberĀ 25, 2016: With Gregg Popovich pulling hisĀ startersĀ after a slow start, Davis Bertans stepped up and scored 15 of theĀ Spurs' 56 bench points to help San Antonio win at Boston 109-103 for its eighth straight victory.

THE CLOSER

Check out our home page for more news and be sure follow us on the platforms below. Thank you for tuning in, and enjoy the rest of your Monday.

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teamsā€™ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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