Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Yesterday at 03:00 AM
San Antonio heads stateside for the first of a three-game home stand.
It can be hard to play through all of the noise. Attention in the NBA space is often a double-edged sword. The rumor mill brings excitement for fans and distractions for the players. The San Antonio Spurs find themselves on the front burner of the hot stove with recent reports suggesting Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox wants to don the Silver and Black.
The Spurs will have to fight through that noise in a big matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. It's San Antonio's first game back in the United States after a two-game trip to Paris where they split the series with the Indiana Pacers. They'll be welcomed back by one of the toughest defenses in the NBA, and a familiar face in Kawhi Leonard.
San Antonio blew out the Clippers in their last contest, 122-86. Now they face a different Clippers squad that is essentially in full health. They'll have to deal with not just the Clippers' stout defense but a three-headed offensive behemoth that includes Leonard, James Harden, and Norman Powell. It'll be a tough game in a crucial stretch of their season.
San Antonio Spurs (20-23) vs. Los Angeles Clippers (26-20)
January 29, 2025 | 7 PM CT
Watch: Fan Duel | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Injuries: Sidy Cissoko – Out (concussion protocol), Riley Minix – Out (G League), David Duke Jr. – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League)
Clippers Injuries: Cam Christie – Out (ankle), Kris Dunn – Out (knee), Trentyn Flowers – Out (G League), Kai Jones – Out (G League), PJ Tucker – Out (not with team)
What to watch for:
Offensive consistency
The Spurs have struggled mightily with maintaining an offensive rhythm throughout a game. Their 12-point fourth quarter against the Pacers in their last game is proof. They had two quarters where they scored less than 20 points in their first matchup with the Clippers. Los Angeles is second in defensive rating and third in points allowed. They play an aggressive style, especially on the wings. That style gave the Spurs issues against the Pacers. Handling the pressure and finding a way to create offense for 48 minutes will be key.
Stephon Castle responds
Players are humans just like us. They see what people are saying online and in the media. One Spur whose name has come up most often in the Fox trade rumors is Stephon Castle. It's so early in his career for the rookie to face this kind of adversity, but he seemed well-equipped for it. He's having a good January, scoring 13.9 points and 3.9 assists. It'll be interesting to see how Castle responds against the Clippers.
Three-point shooting
The Spurs are a streaky shooting team. They've hit just 34.8% from deep this season, but in some games, it seems like they can't miss. The Clippers are elite at guarding the three-point line, allowing teams to shoot just 34.2% from three. When the Spurs get up and down and find threes in rhythm, they are hard to guard. Playing with pace, space, and ball movement will help them get going against the Clippers.
