Spurs, Hornets Each in Strong Recent Form Entering Faceoff

San Antonio looks to bounce back from rare loss as Charlotte visits for final game of road trip.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 2:49am

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The San Antonio Spurs will host the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday afternoon, with both teams coming off strong recent performances. The Spurs are looking to get back on track after a 136-131 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday, while the Hornets have won two straight and eight of their last 10 games. The Spurs will be without MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama, who is dealing with right ankle soreness, but have still managed a 10-5 record without him this season.

Why it matters

This matchup features two teams that have been playing well lately, with the Spurs and Hornets both making pushes for playoff positioning in their respective conferences. The Spurs' depth has been a key to their success, while the Hornets have found their groove after dealing with early-season injuries.

The details

The Spurs are led by Stephon Castle, who recorded a triple-double in the loss to the Nuggets. De'Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes, Devin Vassell, Dylan Harper, and Carter Bryant also contributed double-digit scoring efforts for San Antonio. The Hornets, meanwhile, are paced by LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller, who combined for 100 of Charlotte's 117 points in their win over the Kings.

  • The Spurs are finishing up a six-game homestand on Saturday.
  • The Hornets are playing the final game of a four-game road trip.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

The Spurs' MVP candidate who is dealing with right ankle soreness and is a game-time decision for Saturday's contest.

Stephon Castle

The Spurs' leading scorer in their loss to the Nuggets, recording a triple-double with 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.

LaMelo Ball

The Hornets' star player who led the team with 30 points in their win over the Kings.

Charles Lee

The Hornets' head coach who praised his team's defensive effort in the second half of their victory.

Mitch Johnson

The Spurs' head coach who said the decision to sit Wembanyama was made to avoid any risk with his right ankle soreness.

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What they’re saying

“It's just hard to game plan against when you have so many people who can get you 20 (points), sometimes 30 a night.”

— Devin Vassell, Spurs player (statenews.net)

“Besides that first quarter, we were pretty good defensively, holding (Sacramento) under 30 points throughout the rest of the game. Third and fourth quarter, I thought we really tightened the screws and held them under 25.”

— Charles Lee, Hornets head coach (statenews.net)

What’s next

Wembanyama's status for Saturday's game will likely be a game-time decision, as the Spurs continue to prioritize his health and avoid any unnecessary risks.

The takeaway

This matchup features two teams that have been playing excellent basketball of late, with the Spurs' depth and the Hornets' defensive intensity likely to be key factors in determining the outcome. Regardless of the result, both teams are positioning themselves for potential playoff runs in their respective conferences.