Welcome to the Week in Evaluate: a Monday characteristic that appears again on the week that was for the San Antonio Spurs, takes a have a look at the week forward, and extra. Take pleasure in!

Week 22: The Spurs had a few probabilities get within the successful column because of a uncommon off-shooting evening from Luka Doncic and going through a skeleton crew Grizzlies workforce, however their offense allow them to down on the best way to a winless week.

Week 23: 3-1 (18-57, fifteenth in West)

104-102 win vs. Phoenix Suns

• Recap: Regardless of lacking Victor Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan’s profession evening helped lead the Spurs to a revenge win in opposition to the Suns after being blown out by the identical workforce two nights earlier than. The win secured the season sequence over their outdated rivals.
• What we discovered

118-111 win at Utah Jazz

• Recap: After the Spurs obtained out to a giant lead early, the Jazz used a giant second-quarter run to get again within the sport, however the Good Guys confirmed composure that was missing early within the season by responding and retaining the opponent at arm’s size the remainder of the best way.
• What we discovered

130-126 OT win vs. New York Knicks

• Recap: In one in every of their most thrilling victories of the season, the Spurs countered Jalen Brunson’s 61-point evening with a 40-20 one from Wemby to win in extra time, incomes their first three-game successful streak since December 2022. (Hilariously, Wemby additionally obtained his very first NBA high-quality for throwing the ball into the stands after the sport.)
• What we discovered

113-117 loss vs. Golden State Warriors

• Recap: Lacking three of their high 4 gamers, the shorthanded Spurs obtained out to an early lead, however a gradual begin to the second half let the Warriors again in, and the Spurs couldn’t fairly full the comeback regardless of one other large evening from Wemby.
• What we discovered

In case you missed it

• Victor Wembanyama’s long-distance capturing mechanics — Eric Fritts took a have a look at Wemby’s enhancing capturing mechanics, the statistical oddity of him being a greater three-point shooter off the pull-up than catch-and-shoot, and what he can do to repair it.
• Jeremy Sochan is the Spurs’ offensive wildcard — Sochan is way from a certain factor on offense, however the Spurs appear to learn essentially the most when he has large sport in comparison with anybody else. They’ll want him to maintain enhancing on that finish for him to work subsequent to Wemby long-term.
• Within the Bonus — The PtR employees mentioned quite a lot of matters, similar to why the Spurs offense has really been higher when Wemby has missed video games, what they should do to outlive on protection when he sits, and if the make-up of the Spurs’ present beginning lineup is a recipe for achievement going ahead.
• NBA Draft — Jacob Douglas broke down draft prospects to look at within the Candy 16 and Elite Eight. Additionally, Jesus Gomez took a have a look at the standing of the Raptors first spherical choose and why it’s trying much less doubtless it’ll convey to the Spurs this summer season.
• For much more issues Wemby, take a look at Day-after-day is Wembsday, courtesy of Mikey Rouleau.

Energy Rankings

John Schuhmann, NBA.com — 23 (final week: 26)

OffRtg: 109.6 (26) DefRtg: 116.5 (22) NetRtg: -6.9 (25) Tempo: 101.8 (3)

The Spurs received three straight video games and performed spoiler final week, beating the Suns with out Victor Wembanyama and beating the Knicks behind a career-high 40 factors and 20 rebounds from the Kia Rookie of the Yr favourite.

Three numbers on the Spurs’ protection

1. The Spurs have seen the league’s fourth-biggest drop in factors allowed per 100 possessions, although they’re nonetheless within the backside 10 on protection as a result of they ranked thirtieth final season. They’ve seen enchancment in opponent efficient area objective share, opponent free-throw charge and defensive rebounding share.

2. In response to Second Spectrum monitoring, the Spurs have switched solely 9% of ball screens, the league’s lowest charge by a large margin. Their opponents have averaged simply 15.6 isolations per 100 possessions, the league’s second-lowest charge.

3. The Spurs have allowed 8.0 fewer factors per 100 possessions with Victor Wembanyama on the ground (111.1) than they’ve allowed with him off the ground (119.1). That’s the second-biggest differential on protection amongst full-time starters (fifth greatest amongst all gamers) who’ve performed at the very least 1,000 minutes. The distinction is essentially about how nicely (and sometimes) the opponents have shot within the paint: 56.6% (50% of all area objective makes an attempt) with Wembanyama on the ground and 60.3% (53%) with him off the ground.

Even with the three-game successful streak, the Spurs nonetheless want two extra wins to keep away from ending with the worst document in franchise historical past. 5 of their seven remaining video games are in opposition to groups with successful information, and two of these are in opposition to the Nuggets.

Brett Siegel, Clutch Factors — 25 (final week: 27)

Whereas they might be final within the West, the San Antonio Spurs are No. 25 on this week’s version of the NBA Energy Rankings after virtually pulling off an ideal 4-0 document this previous week. Finally, the Warriors beat them 117-113 on Sunday to halt the Spurs’ three-game win streak. Throughout this streak, they defeated the Suns and Knicks, two playoff contenders.

Victor Wembanyama continues to dazzle. The rookie phenom has scored 72 factors over his final two video games, and he continues so as to add to his All-Defensive Workforce marketing campaign. There isn’t any method that Wembanyama doesn’t win the Rookie of the Yr award at this level.

Arising: Tues. 4/2 @ Denver Nuggets; Fri. 4/5 @ New Orleans Pelicans; Solar. 4/7 vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Prediction 1-2 — That’s a tricky stretch regardless of how good the Spurs appeared final week. The Nuggets are the defending champs and at all times a problem with the altitude. New Orleans tends to be a home of horrors for the Spurs, and Zion Williamson has been unstoppable these days (not very best if Sochan isn’t again from damage). Their greatest wager for a win will in all probability come in opposition to the 76ers at residence — and even then Joel Embiid is anticipated to be again. Hopefully Wemby has some critical revenge on his thoughts…