Inside The Spurs

Spurs Starter, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024: Spurs Partner with Pluckers to Give Fans Free Wings

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

Matt Guzman

The San Antonio Spurs are partnering with Pluckers Wing Bar for second quarters next season.
The San Antonio Spurs are partnering with Pluckers Wing Bar for second quarters next season. / Graphic courtesy of the San Antonio Spurs
In this story:

The San Antonio Spurs are in a rough patch, searching for answers as injuries and shifting rotations take their toll. More than anything, the team’s offense has struggled to find its groove, leaving them stuck in a cycle of missed opportunities and frustrating turnovers.

Veteran forward Harrison Barnes, who always has steady leadership, didn’t hold back when discussing the team’s challenges.

At the heart of the issue is execution. While the effort and intentions are there, the Spurs are averaging 15 turnovers per game—a glaring stat that has often swung winnable games in the wrong direction.

“Guys had good intentions. It was just the execution of it,” he explained.

As the Hawks prepare to visit San Antonio on Thursday, the Spurs are treating the game as a chance to reset.

Reducing mistakes and playing with more cohesion will be at the top of their list. With a talented Atlanta squad coming in, the Spurs know they’ll need to tighten up quickly if they hope to right the ship.

Now, onto the headlines.

The News

1. READ: How a Single Trade Helped Build a Spurs Dynasty, and Another Nearly Ended It

From Dennis Rodman to Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs have a knack for making bold trades.

Check out the full story at the link above.

2. WATCH: The San Antonio Minute: A Temp Check After A Not-So-Hot Shooting Night

The San Antonio Spurs shot just 11-for-45 from the 3-point line against the Minnesota Timberwolves nearly two years after a similar figure, but while they might not have been able to reach the ocean, there isn't any reason for concern.

Check out the full story at the link above.

3. READ: San Antonio Spurs Move Up in Latest NBA Power Rankings

The San Antonio Spurs went 1-1 last week, despite missing several pieces in both matchups against the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Check out the full story at the link above.

Today's Schedule

Thursday vs. Atlanta Hawks | 7 p.m. CT | Watch

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. 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:

1. Doc Rivers Offered Simple Five-Word Description of Damian Lillard's NBA Cup Takeover

2. Peculiar Stat Shows Former Lakers Coach Darvin Ham Stands Alone in NBA Cup History

3. Kyrie Irving Goes 1-on-1 With Luka Doncic in Mavs 'King of the Court' Tournament

On This Date in Spurs History ...

December 19, 1980: Acquired Ron Brewer from Portland for Mike Gale.

December 19, 2001: With the 86-79 victory over Houston, Gregg Popovich passed Doug Moe (176-135) to become the Spurs all-time leader in career victories.

Quote of the Day

"Being able to enjoy someone else’s success is a huge thing. If I’m interviewing a young guy and he’s saying things like, 'I should have been picked All-American but they picked Johnny instead of me,' or they say stuff like: 'My coach should have played me more; he didn’t really help me,' I’m not taking that kid because he will be a problem one way or another. I don’t need that stuff. I’ve got more important things to do. I’ll find somebody else, even if they have less ability, as long as they don’t have that character trait.”

- Gregg Popovich in “Forces of Character”

The Closer

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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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