Spurs Look to Continue Rise as Heat Hope to Stop Fall

San Antonio has the NBA's best record since February, while Miami has lost four straight games.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 6:25am

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The San Antonio Spurs, led by star player Victor Wembanyama, are 21-2 since February 1 and have clinched their first playoff berth since 2019. They will face the struggling Miami Heat, who have lost four straight games and are dealing with key injuries to players like Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. The Spurs have been elite on the road this season, while the Heat have been solid at home, setting up an intriguing matchup.

Why it matters

This game features two teams heading in opposite directions. The Spurs are one of the NBA's hottest teams and are looking to continue their rise, while the Heat are trying to stop their recent slide and stay in the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. The outcome could have significant implications for the playoff race in both conferences.

The details

The Spurs are led by the breakout season of 22-year-old Victor Wembanyama, who has 11 games this season with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds, the most by a Spurs player since Tim Duncan 22 years ago. Wembanyama is averaging 24.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game. The Spurs also have a talented supporting cast that includes point guard De'Aaron Fox. However, the Spurs have injury concerns with two of their top scorers, Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell. The Heat, meanwhile, are dealing with their own injury issues, as three of their top five scorers - Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. - missed their most recent game. This has put more scoring pressure on Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, who had 32 points and 21 rebounds in the Heat's last game.

  • The Spurs (53-18) will host the Heat (38-33) on Monday night.
  • The Spurs clinched their first playoff berth since 2019 on Thursday.
  • The Heat have lost four straight games.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

A 22-year-old star player for the Spurs who is averaging 24.3 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game this season.

Keldon Johnson

A Spurs teammate of Wembanyama who has praised the young star's performance this season.

Mitch Johnson

The 39-year-old head coach of the Spurs, who is in his first full season leading the team.

De'Aaron Fox

The speedy point guard for the Spurs who is averaging 19 points and 6.3 assists per game.

Bam Adebayo

The star center for the Heat who scored 32 points and had 21 rebounds in the team's most recent game.

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What they’re saying

“He deserves his flowers. He's been our guy on and off the court. I'll be the guy to say what needs to be said: Victor Wembanyam, MVP.”

— Keldon Johnson, Spurs teammate

“We just have to stay with it through the highs and lows. We're showing great grit. Part of the grit is that you have to go through some pain, and that's going to steel us.”

— Erik Spoelstra, Heat coach

What’s next

The outcome of this game could have significant implications for the playoff races in both the Western and Eastern Conferences.

The takeaway

This matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions, with the surging Spurs looking to continue their rise and the struggling Heat trying to stop their recent skid. The health and availability of key players will be crucial factors in determining the outcome.