Spurs' just got perfect reminder from one player who will raise title odds

Though the San Antonio Spurs lost to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, they got a great reminder of just how valuable Harrison Barnes can be when he’s healthy. Barnes had been at the peak of health for the Spurs for a while, but a left ankle injury kept him out for 11 days. But in his first game back, he was everything San Antonio could have wanted.

With Victor Wembanyama out of the lineup, the Spurs were always going to be fighting an uphill battle against the Nuggets. And Nikola Jokic’s 31 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists were enough to outduel the short-handed Spurs. Despite that, Barnes’ contributions still popped off the stat sheet.

And he’ll undoubtedly be a super valuable piece for the Spurs once the playoffs come around.

Harrison Barnes looks great in his return from injury

Prior to Wednesday night’s game against the Nuggets, Barnes’ last game was a March 1 loss to the New York Knicks. He only played 17 minutes in that game, scoring three points.

In fact, in the last four games Barnes played prior to missing some time with an injury, he wasn’t his usual self. He found himself playing fewer minutes than usual, and he didn’t crack 10 points in any of the four games.

So, just when Spurs fans needed a reminder of Barnes’ talent the most, he provided it in a big way. He gave them everything they needed on Wednesday, even though San Antonio came up short.

Barnes played 27 minutes off the pine for the Spurs, logging the fourth-most minutes on the team behind De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell.

He finished the game with 20 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal while shooting 6-of-10 from the floor and 2-of-5 from beyond the three-point arc.

And the Spurs were in the game. Despite being without Wembanyama, San Antonio only lost by five points, falling to the Nuggets by a score of 136-131.

Considering they were missing Wembanyama, it makes some sense that the Spurs’ defense wasn’t as stellar as it usually is.

Barnes is 33 years old, and the Spurs have a ton of depth in their lineup. But he has playoff experience and has been a consistent face in San Antonio’s rotation for years.

It seems inevitable that he will help them in the playoffs, thus improving the team’s chance at making a championship run.

Wednesday night was a perfect reminder of what Barnes can bring to the table.