Why the Spurs Are Deeper Than You Think
The San Antonio Spurs’ early success is no coincidence. They are one of only three undefeated teams in the league and have opened the season with a franchise-best five-game winning streak. This achievement stands out even more because the team is currently missing key rotation players like All-Star De’Aaron Fox, as well as backup big men Kelly Olynyk and Luke Kornet.
Despite these absences, the Spurs have dominated opponents with an average margin of victory of 14.4 points — the best differential in the NBA. Admittedly, two of those wins came against still-winless teams, the Brooklyn Nets and New Orleans Pelicans. Their toughest challenge so far has been the Miami Heat, who hold a 3–2 record.
Interestingly, the Spurs rank fourth-slowest in pace but first in fastbreak points. This shows that they choose their moments to attack in transition and effectively exploit weak defenses rather than forcing early offensive sets. The Heat, who lead the league in both pace and fastbreak metrics, were nevertheless outperformed by the Spurs in both categories during Thursday’s six-point victory.
“With Fox, they’d likely be playing quicker because of his dynamic abilities in space, but the team has operated at such a high level, showing they can get by without him.”
While Fox’s absence affects their tempo, there’s a silver lining. Rookie Castle brings elite defense, and his relentless work on the perimeter has helped the Spurs hold the second-best defensive rating in the league.
Summary
The Spurs’ strong start, efficient transition play, and balanced defense highlight a roster that’s deeper and more versatile than preseason expectations suggested.