NBA Midseason Snapshot: Spurs Climb, Nuggets Endure, Thunder Stay Historic
nba-midseason-snapshot-spurs-nuggets-thunder
Spurs
San Antonio has moved into a tie for second place in the Western Conference despite extended absences for De’Aaron Fox, Victor Wembanyama and No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper. The club’s head-to-head success against Oklahoma City has been especially notable, with decisive victories rather than narrow escapes.
Those wins have come while the Spurs leaned on a young core that includes Wembanyama and reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, both 22, along with the 19-year-old Harper logging significant minutes. The combination suggests a foundation that appears built to last rather than a short-term surge.
Nuggets
Denver’s campaign underscores the importance of context. The defending champions have had their preferred starting lineup available only 10 times, posting an 8-2 record in those games. Injuries—among them a knee contusion that sidelined two-time MVP Nikola Jokić—have forced rotation changes, yet the Nuggets have maintained both defensive stability and offensive consistency.
With the roster largely intact again, Denver sits in the position it expected at midseason and still looks like the league’s second-best outfit when fully healthy.
Thunder
Oklahoma City opened 24-1, setting a bar that would challenge any team. Even after three defeats to San Antonio and consecutive losses to Phoenix and Charlotte, the Thunder remain on a record pace. Their point differential stands at plus-13.0, slightly ahead of last season’s plus-12.9, despite the ideal starting five sharing the floor for only five games.
The limited time with a complete lineup highlights just how impressive the team’s performance has been through the midway point.
Source: Hoops Wire
