Spurs must soon learn harsh truth before tasting championship glory

Lost in the San Antonio Spurs' nine-game win streak is a ticking clock that should give this team a sense of urgency. They have one of the youngest teams in the NBA.

Nevertheless, the restrictive collective bargaining agreement could eventually force San Antonio to make some tough roster decisions. Luckily, thanks to some major draft lottery luck, they have a 4-year window, including this season, to contend for a championship.

Their current core of Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper gives San Antonio a strong chance to win a championship during that short window. They can't afford to waste it.

Harrison Barnes: “We have less than 30 dress rehearsals left before the playoffs. … This is our first time (in the playoffs) as a group. As we’re prepping for that, it’s important to take all of the minutes seriously.”
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) February 22, 2026

To their credit, the Spurs could finish the season with the NBA's best record, despite this being their core's first season. Actually, they trail the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons by just two losses.

That gives the Silver and Black a clear path to contend this season.

The Spurs have a narrow window to deliver a championship

Having home court advantage would give a young team a major boost come playoff time. The NBA Finals is the obvious goal, but getting there could prove especially challenging. The Thunder, despite losing the season series to San Antonio 1-4, still loom as a massive threat.

Eliminating them from the playoffs would make winning a championship this season much more realistic. Particularly if the Spurs have home court in a potential Western Conference Finals showdown.

That may be putting the cart before the horse, but San Antonio should be aiming high with such a short title window with their current core. With a 40-16 record and them being the NBA's hottest team, they aren't fool's gold.

The 40-20 rule:

91% of teams that win the championship win 40 games before losing 20 games

The Spurs did that tonight by going 40-16
— Spurs Culture (@SpursCulture) February 22, 2026

This is especially true given that they have won 40 games before losing 20. Over the last 44 years, 90% of previous champions have followed the 40-20 rule.

This season, only the Thunder, Pistons, and Spurs have achieved this feat. If that stat holds true, San Antonio may face the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.

That series could go either way, but it could be one of just a few chances this team gets with their current core. Therefore, this season has added weight for the Silver and Black.

The Spurs have a narrow window to deliver a championship

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