Spurs Look to Extend Winning Streak Against Hapless Pacers

San Antonio aims to solidify top spot in West as Indiana's skid reaches franchise-record 15 games

Mar. 21, 2026 at 3:48am

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The San Antonio Spurs, led by MVP candidate Victor Wembanyama, carry a four-game winning streak as they continue their hunt for the top spot in the Western Conference while hosting the struggling Indiana Pacers on Saturday. The Spurs have won 20 of their past 22 games and clinched a playoff berth, while the Pacers have plummeted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with a franchise-record 15 consecutive losses.

Why it matters

The Spurs are looking to solidify their position atop the Western Conference standings, while the Pacers are mired in a lengthy losing streak that has them rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. This matchup highlights the stark contrast between a team surging towards the playoffs and one in the midst of a rebuilding season.

The details

The Spurs (52-18) are three games behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot in the West, and they're seven games clear of the third-place Los Angeles Lakers. Wembanyama has been leading the charge for San Antonio, averaging 30 points and 12 rebounds over his last 14 games. The Pacers (15-55), on the other hand, have lost a franchise-record 15 straight games and are just 5-30 on the road this season.

  • The teams previously met on January 2, with the Spurs earning a 123-113 victory in Indianapolis.
  • The Spurs clinched their first playoff berth since the 2018-19 season with their win over the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

The Spurs' MVP candidate who has been leading the team's surge, averaging 30 points and 12 rebounds over his last 14 games.

Mitch Johnson

The Spurs' head coach, who has guided the team's development and return to the playoffs after a multi-year absence.

Ivica Zubac

The Pacers' center who suffered a fractured rib in Wednesday's loss to the Portland Trail Blazers and will miss the rest of the season.

Rick Carlisle

The Pacers' head coach, who is overseeing the team's rebuilding efforts as they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

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What they’re saying

“When you're building something, it doesn't happen overnight. It's not something that you get all these players and then you just say, 'Oh, damn, we good.' It took some time and it took some development. It took some growing up and those type of things. And slowly but surely we here.”

— Mitch Johnson, Spurs Head Coach

“I feel like he's playing at an MVP-type level. It's hard to deny when he's doing what he's doing on both ends of the court and he's leading us night in and night out to wins.”

— Mitch Johnson, Spurs Head Coach

“First half, we give up 79 points and then we give up 48 in the second, you know, that's just the difference between playing with the best level of energy and not enough. So second half, obviously, a lot better. But we got to put it together for 48 minutes.”

— Rick Carlisle, Pacers Head Coach

What’s next

After Saturday's contest, the Spurs will hit the road for three straight games beginning in Miami on Monday.

The takeaway

This matchup highlights the stark contrast between a Spurs team surging towards the playoffs and a Pacers squad mired in a lengthy losing streak at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. San Antonio's development under coach Mitch Johnson has them in position to challenge for the top spot in the West, while Indiana's rebuilding efforts have yet to bear fruit.