With 9 games left in the NBA season, the San Antonio Spurs playoff chances have been mostly squashed. They are 4.5 games out of the 10th seed in the Western Conference and have dropped three straight games. Their schedule isn’t getting any easier. They’ll host the Golden State Warriors on the second game of a back-to-back.
The Warriors are 14-4 since the All-Star break and look like potential contenders in the West with the newly acquired Jimmy Butler. Much like they’ve done in the last two games, the Spurs will do what they can to give this playoff team a game. San Antonio has played with energy down the season’s stretch, and young players like Keldon Johnson and Stephon Castle have stepped up. They’ll need their young core to continue showing signs of growth in a tough matchup with the Warriors on Sunday.
San Antonio Spurs (31-42) vs. Golden State Warriors (42-31)
March 30th, 2025 | 6 PM CT
Watch: Fan Duel Southwest | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Injuries: Injury report released by 1 p.m. CT
Warriors Injuries: Stephen Curry – Probable (pelvis), Gary Payton II – Out (thumb)
What to watch for:
Taking care of the ball
The Spurs turnover issues are firmly behind them. They’ve been excellent at valuing possessions lately. They only turned the ball over 5 times against the Boston Celtics in Saturday’s matchup. Golden State is one of the best teams in the league at turning teams over, forcing 15.5 turnovers per game. The Warriors have disruptive defenders like Draymond Green and Butler. Players like Castle and Devin Vassell must make smart decisions with the ball against the Warriors’ stout defense.
Chasing Curry
Even in his late 30s, Steph Curry remains one of the hardest players to guard in the NBA. Chasing him all over the floor and off the line is borderline impossible. San Antonio will probably use multiple defenders to guard him, but I’d like to see Castle get a shot at taking on Curry. This would be a great test for the rookie to use his strength and motor to wall up against Curry while being disciplined and defending him without getting in foul trouble.
Bringing the energy
Johnson and Jeremy Sochan have been fun to watch, with their energy on both ends. The already thin Spurs will need to bring it all on the second game of a back-to-back. The Warriors are a tough rebounding team (3rd in the NBA). The game could get out of hand quickly if Golden State can be physical inside and knock down threes. The Spurs need players like Sochan and KJ to bring the energy to keep up with the Warriors.
