Head Coach: Gregg Popovich (24th Season)
Record: 27-36 (12th in Western Conference)
All-Stars: None
Scoring Leaders: DeMar DeRozan (22.2 PPG), LaMarcus Aldridge (18.9 PPG), Patty Mills (11.7 PPG)
Rebounding Leaders: Aldridge (7.4 RPG), Dejounte Murray (5.8 RPG), Trey Lyles (5.7 RPG)
Assists Leaders: DeRozan (5.6 APG), Murray (4.1 APG), Derrick White (3.4 APG)
Offense: 113.2 Points Scored/Game (10th)
Defense: 114.9 Points Allowed/Game (24th)
Key Wins: Clippers (107-97, Nov. 29), Rockets (135-133, 2OT, Dec. 3), Kings (105-104, OT, Dec. 6), Bucks (126-104, Jan. 6), Celtics (129-114, Jan. 8), Raptors (105-104, Jan. 12)
Season Summary: The San Antonio Spurs headed into the 2019-2020 season with the longest active playoff streak in major American sports (22). The beginning of this season, however, did not go as planned. The Spurs started slow, including an eight-game losing streak in November. Despite having no All-Star selections, San Antonio was able to come back into playoff contention through the combined efforts of veterans like DeMar DeRozan, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Patty Mills and rising young guards like Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, and Bryn Forbes.
The NBA’s shift to the 3-point line was evident in Aldridge’s game this season, as he is posting career-highs in 3-pointers made (1.2) and attempted (3.0). Despite his gravitation to the perimeter on offense, Aldridge continues to protect the basket on defense, as he and Jakob Poeltl make the Spurs the only team besides the Lakers with two top-15 shot blockers. Poeltl will need to provide more minutes in Orlando after Aldridge underwent shoulder surgery that will cause him to miss the resumption of the season. While the rest of the league continues to shoot more from the 3-point line, DeRozan remains an elite midrange scorer. He attempted the second-most 2-point field goals this season while still finishing in the top 20 for most total points and points per game. After missing the entire 2018-2019 season with a torn ACL, Dejounte Murray made his comeback to the starting lineup and his impact was immediately felt on both ends. Averaging 10.7 PPG and 5.8 RPG, Murray is also 5th in the league in total steals (100). With a 27-36 record, the Spurs are chasing the Kings, Pelicans, Trail Blazers and Grizzlies for the 8th seed in an uphill battle to keep their record playoff streak alive.
Memorable Moment: The Spurs had many memorable moments this season, which includes wins over championship contenders like the Clippers and Celtics and comeback wins over the Rockets and Hornets. The most memorable moment may have been their January 12 win over the Toronto Raptors, where San Antonio outscored the reigning champions 36-22 in the final quarter to rally from an 18-point deficit to win. DeMar DeRozan led all scorers with 25 points in his return to Toronto to face his former team.
Player to Watch: DeMar DeRozan – In his 11th NBA season, DeMar DeRozan continues to lead with his knack for scoring and making plays. DeRozan is not only attempting the second-most 2-point field goals, but he is making them at a high rate, shooting 45% on mid-range jumpers (10-16 feet). He is currently 13th in the entire NBA in offensive win shares and has a propensity for making clutch shots down the stretch. If the Spurs want to make a run at the No. 8 seed without Aldridge, Gregg Popovich’s squad will need to heavily rely on its heady veteran guard.
