Spurs' toughest task of the year comes with mental anguish if they lose

Luka Doncic has been the big, bad wolf, successfully blowing the Spurs' house down whenever they face off, and it's time that changed. The Emirates NBA Cup game is the perfect time to change a painful narrative. It hasn't mattered whether the former Mavs star is in Dallas or LA; San Antonio hasn't been able to crack that safe in 14 straight attempts. That kind of losing can infect the psyche.

The streak goes back to 2021, so Victor Wembanyama hasn't been there for all of the angst, but he's definitely experienced his fair share of it since being drafted in 2023. They've come close more than a few times but just can't seem to get over that hump.

They'll have the advantage again regardless of Vic's status. He'll either be playing his first game in nearly a month, or the Spurs will be down their superstar. These aren't favorable circumstances, no matter how you slice it. That won't be an excuse for this team, though. They want to win something—anything. Have faith that they'll show up ready to go.

Spurs/Lakers part 2 has playoff implications

Their December 10 meeting will be their second meeting of the season. Both teams were without core pieces—the Spurs without De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper, while the Lakers missed LeBron James and Austin Reaves. It came down to crucial clutch moments, and that was one of the few times this season that San Antonio didn't come out on top.

They don't want to drop a second game to the Lakers already. They need to stack wins against good teams, and when that opponent is another top Western Conference juggernaut, the stakes are higher. The Silver and Black are in fifth place right now, but a win will catapult them past the Rockets and Nuggets to third, right behind Los Angeles.

The difference between the second and sixth seeds in the WC is 2.5 games. The margin of error this season is going to be smaller than ever, and that's a lot for a team coming from the bottom of the conference. They won't shy away, though. The Spurs have made it clear that they want to win the Cup and make the playoffs outright (no play-in tournaments), making a statement in the process.

It's all on the table in front of them. They have one of the best offenses in the league and a ridiculously talented defense when Wemby is in the lineup. They'll have a chance with or without him, but it's infinitely better if he's there. Luka is lighting the league on fire, averaging 35 points per game. Adding a superpowered defender would be preferable.

Doncic won't make it easy. He never does. He's a fearless competitor. But like my late father from Philly would say, you don't have to be afraid to get your ass whooped.