The San Antonio Spurs had one of the toughest schedules in the NBA last season and are being rewarded for going the distance.
The San Antonio Spurs will have 94 rest days in the 2026-27 NBA season. After making it all the way to the NBA Finals and the NBA Cup Championship, the Spurs played more games last season than any other team.
In their quest to make it back to the NBA Finals, fatigue could be a very real factor. Victor Wembanyama is not injury-prone, but he's also not one of the most durable players in the NBA. As the season wears on, those rest days will matter.
Of course, at the end of the season, talent and health get you further than days off. Still, rest is a major factor when it comes to health and reliability, so the Spurs should have an advantage there.
Why Spurs Are Poised to Make the NBA Finals...Again
In the Western Conference, it's really a two-horse race. Sure, the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves improved, and the Denver Nuggets are a very good team, but San Antonio and the Oklahoma City Thunder are the cream of the crop.
So why do the Spurs have a leg up on the Thunder? It has nothing to do with their schedule.
This summer, the Spurs did not lose a single key contributor. They added Tobias Harris, Tarris Reed, and Jayden Quiantance, all with the hope of improving their frontcourt depth. All three players are physical bruisers who should be able to last a whole season, even with Quiantance's injury concerns.
The Thunder, meanwhile, lost Aaron Wiggins, Lu Dort, and Isaiah Joe. None of those guys are superstars, but their defense and floor spacing certainly impact winning. Drafting Aday Mara 12th overall out of Michigan was a good pick, and they'll get Thomas Sorber back, but those aren't replacements for three proven NBA players.
Last season, the Spurs proved themselves as the better team, but only barely. This summer, the Spurs took a small step forward, with OKC taking a small step back.
As fans get hyped about the schedule (the Hawks had the best release video), the reality is every team has to play 82 games, most of them against teams with very real playoff hopes. Sure, having fewer back-to-backs or an easier travel schedule can help improve chances, but it all boils down to talent.
The Spurs have more than anyone in the league.
