The San Antonio Spurs of the 2023-24 NBA season are on track to become one of the worst teams in history when it comes to protecting leads. This young Spurs team, led by players like Victor Wembanyama, is still learning the ropes in the NBA and trying to develop a winning mentality. Recently, they have shown signs of improvement, putting up a good fight against tough opponents. However, their inability to maintain their performance has cost them several games.
In their recent matchup against the Orlando Magic, the Spurs had a promising start, leading by as much as 11 points in the first quarter. It seemed like they were making progress, but they couldn’t sustain their momentum. The Magic’s defensive intensity proved to be too much for the Spurs, and they ultimately fell short, losing 108-98. The final score doesn’t accurately reflect how close the game was.
This loss adds to the Spurs’ growing reputation for choking in crucial moments. According to ESPN’s Andrew Lopez, they have now lost 13 out of 19 games in which they had a double-digit lead. Their win percentage in such situations is a dismal .316, which could potentially be the lowest in a season since 1997-98. This puts them in danger of breaking the record set by the 2011-12 Charlotte Bobcats, who had a .357 win percentage in games they led by 10 points or more. It’s worth noting that the Bobcats also hold the record for the worst win percentage in a single NBA season.
While the Spurs’ struggles to protect leads can be attributed to their youth and inexperience, it’s encouraging to see them consistently take double-digit leads in almost half of their games this season. As they continue to mature and gain experience, they should improve in this aspect of the game. Additionally, the 2023-24 Spurs have a promising future with Victor Wembanyama, a franchise cornerstone who is expected to dominate the competition for years to come. This should provide some comfort for the team as they move forward.
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