The Spurs’ emergency guard problem has an obvious solution

San Antonio’s backcourt is under a code red. De’Aaron Fox has yet to play in the conference finals due to an ankle injury, and now Dylan Harper’s health is in jeopardy after he went down in Game 2 on Wednesday.

On top of that, Stephon Castle has struggled with an increased load, turning it over an obscene amount. Castle and the Spurs as a whole need someone to calm the storm. Third-string point guard Jordan McLaughlin is their guy.

Jordan McLaughlin proved he’s ready for the moment in Game 2

The Spurs lost Game 2 to the Thunder in somewhat frustrating fashion, but positives can be found in the rubble of what was another epic battle. Jordan McLaughlin was one of those bright spots. After logging a DNP-CD on Monday, he stepped into the rotation without missing a beat, delivering six points and an assist in seven minutes.

Those stats may be somewhat pedestrian, but they don’t reflect the value McLaughlin brought to the floor. Despite being unexpectedly thrown into the fire, the veteran was a soothing but poised presence for the Spurs.

He made smart decisions, as always, while also confidently sinking two threes, including a contested one on the right wing. The little guard also competed on defense, even getting a strong stop against Ajay Mitchell on a drive.

McLaughlin wasn’t some major X-factor on Wednesday, but he did prove he’s capable of hanging in this ultra-competitive series and contributing positively. That may be a surprise to some, but maybe it shouldn’t be. He’s a seven-year vet, after all. He’s seen a thing or two, including 16.6 minutes per game in the 2022 playoffs for the Timberwolves.

McLaughlin gives the Spurs exactly what they need right now

With the current state of their guard room, San Antonio is having a hard time dealing with Oklahoma City’s perimeter pressure. They miss De’Aaron Fox’s steady ball handling—the All-Star had been coughing up only 2.0 turnovers in 33.3 minutes per game in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Steph Castle committed a head-scratching 20 errors in the first two contests versus the Thunder.

Luckily, headiness and handling are two of McLaughlin’s biggest strengths. Throughout his career, he’s excelled at taking care of the rock and limiting mistakes. He’s not the high-leverage playmaker Castle, Fox, and Harper can be, but he finds his teammates in the right spots.

There are obvious downsides to relying on a 5’11” guard in today’s league, but even with the injuries they’re facing, the Spurs won’t need to ask too much of McLaughlin. If he can give this team 5-10 minutes of trusty play in tight spots, he’ll provide a noticeable boost off the bench. He’s shown he can be counted on to do exactly that.

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