Spurs vs. Warriors set for first round of 2018 NBA playoffs

The San Antonio Spurs officially have a date for the first round of the NBA playoffs, and it’s a similar opponent for the previous postseason.

The San Antonio Spurs only clinched a spot in the 2018 NBA playoffs on Monday, with a win over the Sacramento Kings. Their postseason opponent remained in question, however, due to how tight-knit the Western Conference was for most of the season’s second half. The New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves were all jockeying for playoff positioning, and it was finally resolved.

With the Spurs’ loss to the Pelicans, they will get the Golden State Warriors in Round 1. A full look at the playoff picture can be seen below.

1st Round Playoff Matchups are set:

Eastern Conference #1 Raptors vs. #8 Wizards

#2 Celtics vs. #7 Bucks

#3 76ers vs. #6 Heat

#4 Cavs vs. #5 Pacers

Western Conference #1 Rockets vs. #8 Wolves

#2 Warriors vs. #7 Spurs

#3 Utah vs. #6 Thunder

#4 Blazers vs. #5 Pelicans

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 12, 2018

ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne noted how “fascinating” this will be without Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Curry available to play.

Man, Warriors-Spurs in the first round with no Steph and no Kawhi gonna be fascinating!

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) April 12, 2018

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The Warriors defeated the Spurs 3-1 in their 2017-18 season series. San Antonio’s lone win came when Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green all missed the game or were injured during the action.

It was only the 2017 Western Conference Finals that the Silver and Black and Golden State faced off in the postseason. Fans will remember the controversial closeout from Zaza Pachulia that hurt Kawhi Leonard in Game 1, resulting in a blown lead for the Spurs and a series sweep for the Warriors, who went on to win the 2017 NBA Finals.

This time, the Spurs will not have Leonard for any part of this series — unless the organization makes a shocking announcement that he’s ready to return. That leaves LaMarcus Aldridge to potentially redeem himself from a poor performance in the 2017 series and a player (or multiple) to step up in his defense.

Next: Top 25 players in SAS history

The 2018 NBA playoffs start on Saturday, April 11, and will continue into June. It’s an opportunity for the Spurs to win a sixth championship. However, without their star player and against one of the NBA’s top teams, can this be accomplished?