San Antonio Spurs Eager for Playoffs After Historic Season

Veteran leadership and young talent ready to make deep postseason run

Apr. 14, 2026 at 8:33pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Spurs basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of navy blue, silver, and red creating a sense of movement and energy on the court.The Spurs' playoff push is fueled by a mix of veteran experience and youthful energy, creating a dynamic and unpredictable team poised for a deep postseason run.San Antonio Today

The San Antonio Spurs are eagerly anticipating the start of the NBA playoffs after securing the Western Conference's No. 2 seed with a 62-20 record. The team's mix of veteran leadership and young talent has them feeling confident heading into the postseason, though they're unsure of their first-round opponent as the Play-In Tournament is still to be decided.

Why it matters

The Spurs are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2019 after two seasons of Play-In Tournament appearances. This historic season represents a major turnaround for the franchise and a chance for their young core to gain valuable playoff experience alongside their championship-tested veterans.

The details

The Spurs have had to navigate some key injuries this season, including to star rookie Victor Wembanyama, but have maintained their focus and identity as a team that plays with high intensity and energy. Their depth has been a strength, with players like Julian Champagnie stepping up when needed. Now, the Spurs are ready to put that team-first mentality to the test in the playoffs.

  • The Spurs secured the West's No. 2 seed with a 62-20 record.
  • San Antonio will play its first playoff game on Sunday, April 20th at 8 p.m. Central.
  • The Spurs' first-round opponent will be determined by Tuesday night's Play-In Tournament matchup between the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers.

The players

Luke Kornet

The Spurs center has prior playoff experience, having won a championship with the Boston Celtics two seasons ago.

Harrison Barnes

One of the Spurs' veteran leaders, Barnes won a title with the Golden State Warriors and is helping prepare the team's younger players for the intensity of the playoffs.

Carter Bryant

The Spurs rookie is eager to make his NBA playoff debut, leaning on the guidance of his more experienced teammates.

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What they’re saying

“This week is always strange. You're waiting around. You're doing a lot of prep ... but you're looking forward for the games to get going. You're kind of sitting on your hands a little bit.”

— Luke Kornet, Spurs center

“Our (connection) in the summertime, at training camp, in the preseason, showed that we would be a good team. We want to build on that going into the playoffs.”

— Harrison Barnes, Spurs forward

“It's a battle of wills. Who is going to have the will to, every single possession, every single night, commit to that process? ... Can you stay locked-in physically?”

— Harrison Barnes, Spurs forward

What’s next

The Spurs will learn their first-round opponent after Tuesday night's Play-In Tournament game between the Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers. Regardless of who they face, San Antonio is confident in its ability to make a deep playoff run.

The takeaway

The Spurs' historic turnaround season has them poised to make a serious playoff push, blending their young talent with veteran leadership. Their team-first identity and depth have been key to their success, and they're eager to put that to the test against whichever opponent they draw in the first round.