Spurs Look to Bounce Back Against Surging Clippers

San Antonio hosts Los Angeles in key Western Conference matchup

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The San Antonio Spurs (44-17) will host the Los Angeles Clippers (30-31) on Friday night at the Frost Bank Center. The Clippers have won 24 of their last 24 games after a slow start to the season, while the Spurs are coming off a loss. Key players to watch include Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard.

Why it matters

This is an important Western Conference matchup between two teams heading in opposite directions. The Clippers are fighting to get back to .500 and make a playoff push, while the Spurs are trying to maintain their position near the top of the conference standings.

The details

The Spurs will start De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, and Victor Wembanyama. The Clippers will counter with Kris Dunn, Kobe Sanders, Kawhi Leonard, Derrick Jones Jr., and Brook Lopez. Both teams have deep benches, with the Spurs relying on players like Keldon Johnson, Luke Kornet, and Harrison Barnes, while the Clippers have Nicolas Batum, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Darius Garland coming off the bench.

  • The game tips off at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 5, 2026.
  • The Spurs are 9-3 this season on the second night of a back-to-back, and 4-1 when that game is played at home.

The players

Victor Wembanyama

A 7'4" center in his third NBA season, Wembanyama is averaging 23.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game for the Spurs.

Kawhi Leonard

A 14-year veteran forward, Leonard is leading the Clippers in scoring (27.9 ppg), rebounds (6.4 rpg), assists (3.7 apg), and steals (2.0 spg).

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This game features two teams heading in opposite directions, with the surging Clippers looking to continue their climb back to .500 and the Spurs trying to maintain their position near the top of the Western Conference standings. The matchup between Wembanyama and Leonard will be one to watch, as both players are among the best at their respective positions.