The energy inside the Frost Bank Center on Thursday night was different. You could feel it in the concourse before tip-off. People weren't just showing up to see a generational talent anymore; they were showing up to see a winner. When the final buzzer echoed through the arena, the san antonio nba score sat at 119-101 in favor of the Spurs over the Milwaukee Bucks.
It wasn't just a win. It was a statement.
For a team that finished near the bottom of the West just a year ago, sitting at 28-13 is basically surreal. They aren't just "scary in a few years" anymore. They are scary right now. Thursday's victory against Giannis and the Bucks proved that the Spurs have officially graduated from the rebuilding phase and entered the "we can beat anyone" phase of their timeline.
Breaking Down That Massive Win
Honestly, the first few minutes of the game had everyone in San Antonio holding their breath. Victor Wembanyama went down after a knee-to-knee collision with Giannis Antetokounmpo. The arena went silent. You've seen this movie before—the young star gets hurt, and the season spirals. But Wemby is built different. He headed to the locker room, stayed for a minute, and then checked back in for the second quarter like nothing happened.
He ended up putting up 22 points in just 22 minutes. That is efficient. He was 5-of-6 from deep, which is kinda terrifying for a guy that size. When he’s hitting step-back threes, there is literally no defensive scheme in the world that works.
✨ Don't miss: A que hora juega el América hoy: Horarios, canales y lo que debes saber del Nido
The Bucks had no answer for the pace. San Antonio blew the game open in the third quarter, outscoring Milwaukee and turning a tight contest into a laugher. It’s the kind of collective performance that makes you realize how deep this roster has become. They aren't just relying on one guy to do everything anymore.
The Numbers That Actually Matter
If you look at the san antonio nba score from their last ten games, you’ll see a team that has been through the ringer. They’ve gone 5-5 in that stretch, including some tough losses to Oklahoma City and Minnesota. But the underlying stats tell a more optimistic story.
- They are currently 2nd in the Western Conference.
- Their defensive rating is 3rd in the entire NBA.
- De'Aaron Fox is averaging over 20 points a game as the veteran floor general.
- Stephon Castle has locked down the starting guard spot at just 21 years old.
The defense is what really sticks out. In that 119-101 win, they held a high-powered Bucks offense to a dismal shooting night. They’re long, they’re fast, and they rotate better than almost any team Gregg Popovich has had in the post-Tim Duncan era. Mitch Johnson, who has been handling the head coaching duties with Popovich in a presidential role, has these guys playing with a discipline that belies their age.
What People Get Wrong About This Team
Most national media outlets keep waiting for the "regression." They look at the roster and see a bunch of kids and think, "Okay, they'll hit a wall in February." Honestly? That wall might not exist.
The addition of De'Aaron Fox changed the geometry of the offense. Before Fox arrived, teams could just swarm Wembanyama and dare the other guys to beat them. Now, if you double-team Wemby, Fox is going to get to the rim at will. If you collapse on Fox, Devin Vassell or Julian Champagnie are waiting on the perimeter.
It's a pick-your-poison scenario.
💡 You might also like: What Channel Is The Chelsea Game On: Avoiding The Last-Minute Stream Scramble
There's also this misconception that the Spurs are "tanking" for more picks. That's over. You don't trade for a guy like Fox or play Harrison Barnes heavy minutes if you're trying to lose. This team is built to win a playoff series this year. They are currently 6.5 games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top seed, but they’ve already shown they can hang with the heavyweights.
The Injury Factor
We have to talk about the health aspect because it's the only thing that can derail this train. Devin Vassell has been out with an adductor injury, and his absence was felt in those recent losses to OKC and the Timberwolves.
When Vassell is on the floor, the floor spacing is perfect. Without him, the offense can get a bit stagnant. The good news is that the depth has stepped up. Keldon Johnson has embraced his role as a Sixth Man candidate, bringing a chaotic energy off the bench that most teams can't handle for 20 minutes a night.
Looking Ahead: The Schedule
The san antonio nba score you see on the ticker tonight might look very different depending on who suits up. They have a rematch against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, January 17th. That is a massive game for seeding. Minnesota is only a game or two behind them in the standings, and Anthony Edwards is playing like an MVP candidate.
If the Spurs want to keep that #2 seed, they have to protect their home court at the Frost Bank Center. They are 14-5 at home this year, which is a massive improvement from the last three seasons combined.
👉 See also: Why the 2016 CFP National Championship Was the Peak of Modern College Football
Actionable Insights for Spurs Fans
If you're following the team this season, here is what you should actually be watching for, rather than just checking the box score:
- The First Six Minutes: Watch how Mitch Johnson rotates the bigs. If the Spurs can establish a lead early, they almost never let it go. They are one of the best "front-runner" teams in the league because their defense prevents large comebacks.
- Wemby’s Shooting Volume: When Victor takes more than five threes, the Spurs win about 80% of those games. It opens up the lane for everyone else.
- Turnover Margin: The biggest weakness for this young squad is still the sloppy passes. If they keep the turnovers under 12, they are basically unbeatable.
The 2025-26 season has been a revelation for San Antonio. They’ve moved past the "development" phase and into the "contention" phase faster than anyone expected. Whether they can sustain this through the playoffs remains to be seen, but for now, the city is buzzing for a reason.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the Minnesota game on Saturday. If Vassell returns, the Spurs are likely to stay hot and keep that second spot in the West. If not, expect a heavy dose of De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama carrying the load in what should be a playoff-intensity environment in the 210.