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The surprising Spurs are already third in the West

The fight for Victor Wembanyama has not started or someone has forgotten about it. We say this because not now, but for months now, it has been rumored that San Antonio has its name red-marked – and who hasn’t – for the next draft. With that context and knowing how the selection of new talents works, no one escapes the fact that the more you lose, the more chances you have of achieving your desired player. Well, the Spurs are completely breaking that ‘rule’.

Last night, hosting the Timberwolves, they achieved their fifth win in seven games to climb up to third place in the Western Conference. A mirage? Maybe, but it’s clear that Gregg Popovich enjoys (cares about) a lot more winning games than thinking about what will happen in 10 months.

“I didn’t know they were so fearless. Maybe when you don’t know what the hell you’re doing, sometimes you just go and do it. It’s just about going out and playing », comments the veteran coach about his young squad, which overcame the losses of Jeremy Sochan, Devin Vassell and Josh Richardson against Minnesota; in addition to that of the recently fired Joshua Primo.

Without counting on any of them, Keldon Johnson once again took control of the team to finish with 25 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. And he was not alone, since from the bench he found the fantastic collaboration of Doug McDermott, author of 23 points with 7 of 14 triples.

“When you have a great culture, it just carries over to the pitch. Being a 30-year-old player who’s been on six or seven teams, I haven’t had as much fun playing basketball as I do now. It is a pleasure to be part of this, “explains the forward.

“We don’t compete enough”

Karl-Anthony Towns didn’t end up happy in Texas. Personally, he was good with 26 points and 11 rebounds, but as far as the team is concerned, it was far from working. The team was a disaster from the triple (4 of 29) and the most unexpected thing was that they lost the fight for the rebound by 52-45. “We just don’t play. We do not compete enough », he sentences.

Minnesota is now with a balance of 4-3 (not bad), but the truth is that they have achieved it by facing rivals that they are supposed to overcome; so much so that they have lost twice against the Spurs and once against the Utah Jazz. There is work ahead in Minneapolis.

(Photograph by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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