San Antonio Spurs Building Late-Season Chemistry

The San Antonio Spurs are 18-57 and have been out of the playoff race for pretty much the entire season. Easily one of the worst teams in the league, the Spurs are aware that they don't have the talent to compete...yet.

The Spurs had their three-game winning streak--the longest of the season--snapped by the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night. While the Spurs kept the game close and led by double-digits at times, the championship experience the Warriors have was simply too much for the youngest team in the league.

Mar 31, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots over San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) / Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

While the Spurs lack the experience and talent to compete with the NBA's best, they are building towards a very bright future. After the winning streak was snapped against the Warriors, Victor Wembanyama emphasized the team chemistry that the Spurs have been building all season.

"I feel like [team chemistry] started before but it's something continuous," he said. "We put an emphasis on this and also recognizing each other's strengths."

In addition to fostering relationships with each other, the Spurs are recieving a late-season boost from their fans. Despite having the third-worst record in the league, the Spurs are 12th in attendance. Some of that has to do with Wembanyama, but the Spurs are fostering a fun culture.

After the Spurs' third straight win, besting the New York Knicks and Jalen Brunson in overtime, Wembanyama didn't even aknowledge his new career-high when given the microphone to address the Frost Bank Center.

"You know, these efforts, these results, we wouldn't have gotten them at the start of the year," he said. "And we wouldn't have gotten them without [the fans]. Y'all are helping us, you know70 games into the season, I still see this place packed every night. Love you guys! Love the support! Go Spurs go!"

Even as fans were spilling out of the arena postgame, his comments were met with thunderous applause that could be heard on the broadcast. Between the "sixth man" sitting in the stands and the growing team chemistry, the Spurs are poised to improve over the offseason.