Spurs vs. Pacers recap, reactions: A new era at point guard?

The San Antonio Spurs dropped their latest game. This time, it was to the Indiana Pacers for the second time this season.

The San Antonio Spurs have not fared well in 2018, not winning any back-to-back games. They did not lose back-to-back matchups, either. However, that changed on Sunday night, when the Silver and Black dropped a game to the Indiana Pacers, 94-86.

It was not as poor of a shooting night as the Toronto Raptors game, but the Spurs still struggled to connect, especially from 3-point range, by shooting 26.5 percent (9-for-34) from far away. Part of that was due to Davis Bertans going just 1-for-8 (3-for-12 from the field) for 7 points.

LaMarcus Aldridge produced his latest double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. It was the bare minimum for this but came in 37 minutes, along with shooting 5-for-14 from the field.

Head coach Gregg Popovich gave not Tony Parker but Dejounte Murray the start at point guard. He did not dominate from the field (3-for-8 for 8 points), but threw in 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Kyle Anderson did something similar, with his 8 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists.

This was also the first time Parker ever came off the bench in the regular season. Parker told ESPN’s Michael C. Wright that Popovich said “he thought it was time” to make a change.

Just talked to Tony Parker, and he said Pop told him before the game "he thought it was time," to start someone else at PG. https://t.co/kK67aJmIXM

— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) January 22, 2018

As for the Pacers, four players had double-digit point performances, with three falling just short at 9 points a piece. Victor Oladipo‘s 19 points on 8-for-14 shooting led the way.

What swung in Indiana’s way? Free throw shooting. It shot 16-for-17 from the charity stripe, while San Antonio went 7-for-12.

This loss dropped the Spurs to 30-18, which tied them with the Minnesota Timberwolves for third in the Western Conference. It’s due to the 4-6 stretch the team went on over the past 10 games, including losing the last two. With the NBA Trade Deadline approaching, it could warrant a move, especially as the team remains without Kawhi Leonard. Will the Spurs make a transaction for the first time since 2014?

Next: Top 25 players in Spurs history

The path to winning will not get easier, as San Antonio faces the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, Jan. 23.