The Spurs' schedule reveals exactly how seriously the NBA takes them now

The Spurs' packed regular-season schedule proves the NBA has acknowledged a simple truth: this is no longer some young, up-and-coming group jockeying for position in the West. They're one of the marquee teams in the league, capturing the attention of the entire basketball world.

San Antonio is scheduled to play 34 nationally televised games next season, their highest mark in years. They'll face a plethora of contenders and playoff-hungry teams, giving them the chance to prepare themselves for another NBA Finals run in the spring.

It took no time for the Spurs to become one of the biggest draws in the NBA

Before the 2025-26 season, catching a nationally televised Spurs game was a rarity. In the 2021-22 season, they had just one. That was also the case for the 2022-23 campaign. That number did start to ramp up a bit after Victor Wembanyama was drafted, but not to the extent we're currently seeing.

Now, it's impossible to miss a Spurs game, and that'll be the reality for the near future. As Wemby, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle continue to improve, San Antonio will be must-see TV. They're such a rare group, blending youth and raw talent with a winning gene only a few other teams have.

It's such a 180 from where this franchise was years ago. After they traded Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs were trying to find the path leading them back to being a powerhouse. Drafting Wemby in 2023 kick-started a promising rebuild that's already turned in some impressive, ahead-of-schedule results.

The Spurs should take advantage of this new exposure

Of course, San Antonio should be glad that the league has officially bought into how much they mean to the basketball landscape, but they shouldn't get complacent. Now, it's time for them to take advantage of their stacked schedule.

For one, it gives the Spurs a perfect opportunity to groom themselves for another deep playoff run. Competing in several competitive, high-exposure games is the best preparation a championship contender can get during the regular season.

Additionally, it allows them to silence their biggest detractors. A handful of Spurs players were subjected to heavy criticism this summer, so they have the perfect chance to showcase their improvements to the entire basketball world.

For example, De'Aaron Fox can prove he's fit to hold his spot as the starting point guard following a rough postseason. Victor Wembanyama has an opportunity to showcase his growth as a shot creator and all-around scorer. This is a glowing opportunity for some of the Spurs' most important players to put a muzzle on their doubters.

This new-look San Antonio squad officially has the spotlight they truly deserve. With this attention comes high expectations, but they're built to live up to and possibly exceed them.

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