Spurs are making unmistakable playoff statements fans should be thrilled about

On April 2nd, the Spurs had a date with the Los Angeles Clippers. This matchup was significant for a multitude of reasons. Not only would the Silver and Black get a chance to crush the dreams of Kawhi Leonard, who left the city in a muck, but they would also have the opportunity to gain experience for a potential first-round duel.

With this in mind, this matchup became increasingly more exciting yet frightening. Playing without Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs would be trusting the guard trio to bring home the glory.

As the Clippers and Spurs have an excellent chance of matching up in round one, San Antonio had to show that they could beat this Clippers team and validate their place at the top of the conference. They did exactly that.

The Spurs will have no problem in the first round

I'll go out and say it now; I am guaranteeing a Spurs first-round victory. In all likelihood, San Antonio will be meeting this Clippers squad in the first round. In a worst-case scenario, they would face the Suns, and even then, I wouldn't be afraid.

The Spurs are clearly far ahead of this Clippers team, even with Kawhi Leonard playing like he did during his peak Silver and Black days. Los Angeles simply does not have enough to keep up with the speed and dynamism of this San Antonio team. Their roster is too old and lacks varied shot creation. This Spurs team is a tsunami, while the Clippers are a light wave.

If these two do end up meeting in round one, expect a sweep or five-game series. I can't imagine a world where the Clippers find enough buckets to match the explosive guards and unreal depth of San Antonio. The Spurs can deliver so many punches; none of the current play-in squads could match it.

The Spurs are still dominant even without Victor Wembanyama

San Antonio proved earlier in the year that they could win without the Alien. But this matchup had a whole lot more at stake. The Clippers are fighting to stay afloat in the Play-In, while the Spurs are pushing for the one seed. Los Angeles couldn't afford to take the game lightly, and they didn't.

Even without Wemby, that didn't matter. From the second the ball tipped off, San Antonio had controlled this game. The squad excelled on defense, holding the fueled Clippers to only 99 points on 93 shot attempts. In particular, Darius Garland was clamped up, shooting a porous 5/17 from the field.

Offensively, it was an all-around clinic. Everybody chipped in on the 118 points. In the rout, six Spurs scored in double digits. Leading the squad, De'Aaron Fox enjoyed an explosive yet efficient second half and led the team with 22 points.

After a long stretch of Wembanyama carrying games, the spotlight returned to the rest of the cast, which continues to prove its dominance. While everybody is focused on Victor Wembanyama's MVP candidacy, the other stars of the team are lurking in the woods.

Heading into the playoffs, the Spurs still look like the team to beat; this win was yet another reason why. Hide any worries of a first-round upset, because it is simply not going to happen.