Inside The Spurs

Spurs Starter, Thursday, November 28, 2024: How Can Spurs Advance to Knock-Out Stage of NBA Cup?

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

Matt Guzman

Nov 27, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) talks with guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Frost Bank Center.
Nov 27, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) talks with guard Chris Paul (3) in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Frost Bank Center. / Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
In this story:

Happy Thanksgiving, Por Vida fans! Welcome to your afternoon Spurs Starter.

In Year 2 of the NBA Cup, the San Antonio Spurs find themselves in a much more favorable position compared to last season. Going 0-4 in group play is certainly no recipe for booking tickets to Las Vegas, after all.

This year, a different story is being spun.

Through three games, the Spurs are tied for first place in West Group B at 2-1, matching both the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers (luckily, yesterday's loss doesn't count against them). San Antonio is certainly in the hunt to win its group, though for that to happen, there are two stipulations.

WATCH: Wembanyama Throws Down Huge Dunk on LeBron James

First, the Spurs need to earn the head-to-head over the Suns in next Tuesday's contest. That would put them at 3-1 — currently the best-case scenario record-wise. In addition, the Lakers, who own the tiebreaker over the Spurs, need to fall to the Oklahoma City Thunder to give San Antonio full possession of first place.

At that point, the team can start getting excited for a trip to Vegas to compete in the knock-out stage of the tournament. Though they might have to beg the basketball gods for forgiveness first.

Now, on to the headlines:

THE NEWS

1. READ: JEREMY SOCHAN 'AHEAD OF SCHEDULE' IN RAMP-UP PROCESS

The San Antonio Spurs have been without Jeremy Sochan for 11 full games, going 7-4 in the process. Luckily for them, the Polish forward is likely to make his return in the coming weeks.

Read the full story at the link above.

2. READ: 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: 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 up: At Sacramento, Sunday, Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. Central

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.

- 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?


- Jeremy Sochan Ready to Thrive at 'Natural' Position

- Will Julian Champagnie Start In Place of Devin Vassell?

- Zach Collins 'Feeling Great' After Shoulder Surgery

- Harrison Barnes Speaks on Young Spurs' Winning Mentality

- Castle Speaks on Spurs' 'Aggressive' Defensive Mindset

- Keldon Johnson Focused on Getting Better, Sticking Around

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

- 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's NBA tracker, with more detailed breakdowns of major league news and updates.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"He's the ultimate competitor. He doesn't care if you're down 20. If he's on the floor, he's trying his damndest to do everything he can to win."

- Tim Duncan on Manu Ginóbili

THIS DAY IN SPURS HISTORY

November 28, 1972: George McGinnis scored 58 points for Indiana to set a franchise ABA record for most points scored by an opponent in a single game.

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 Thanksgiving.

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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 teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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