San Antonio Spurs Chase No. 1 Seed in West

Spurs have won 16 of last 17 games, closing in on Thunder for top spot

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The San Antonio Spurs have surged up the Western Conference standings, winning 16 of their last 17 games to pull within 2.5 games of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the No. 1 seed. With an easy remaining schedule and the Thunder facing a tough slate, the Spurs have a chance to overtake the top spot in the West.

Why it matters

Securing the No. 1 seed would give the Spurs home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, a major advantage for a team that has played well at home this season. It would also be a remarkable turnaround for a team that was expected to be in a rebuilding year.

The details

The Spurs have surged thanks to great play from their role players like Keldon Johnson, Dylan Harper, and Julian Champagnie, as well as the impending return of veteran Harrison Barnes. Their elite defense and efficient offense have fueled the run. The Thunder, led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have also been hot, but face a tougher remaining schedule.

  • The Spurs have won 16 of their last 17 games.
  • There are just 17 games remaining in the regular season.
  • The Spurs have the sixth-easiest remaining schedule, while the Thunder have the fourth-hardest.

The players

Keldon Johnson

A key role player off the bench who has made a major impact on both ends of the floor for the Spurs during their recent hot streak.

Dylan Harper

A young guard who is coming into his own and providing valuable minutes for the Spurs.

Julian Champagnie

A 3&D wing who has shone as part of the Spurs' supporting cast.

Harrison Barnes

A veteran forward who will soon return to the Spurs' lineup and provide additional shooting to complement star big man Victor Wembanyama.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Thunder's star guard who is playing at an MVP level and leading his team's push for the No. 1 seed.

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What’s next

The Spurs and Thunder do not have any head-to-head matchups remaining, so San Antonio will need to continue winning and hope other teams can knock off the Thunder to help them overtake the top spot in the West.

The takeaway

The Spurs' surprising surge has put them in position to potentially secure the No. 1 seed in the West, which would be a remarkable turnaround for a team expected to be in a rebuilding year. Their strong play from role players and impending return of a key veteran have fueled the run, setting up an exciting finish to the regular season.