San Antonio made a statement against Minnesota on Tuesday night, capturing a pivotal 126- 97 postseason victory
By Gabriel Esparza | May 13, 2026
The San Antonio Spurs have been back. There is, however, a way in which this team has stamped its presence. The young corps has already established itself as a contender in the Western Conference. Now, with the 2026 postseason underway, it has become abundantly clear who the ‘next team’ will be for years to come.
The series between San Antonio and Minnesota was tied at two apiece, with the Spurs taking a 3-2 advantage in Tuesday evening’s Game 5.
It is clear, however, that without Victor Wembanyama having the feeling or the need to take matters into his own hands, this would have actually been a relatively short series against the Timberwolves.
Regardless of that aspect, it has become fairly clear that this iteration of San Antonio is able to compete against the best in the NBA and can truly be contenders for years to come.
As of now, they are playing with house money. If one were to listen to Wembanyama, though, the expectation is not only to compete among the best in the conference this year but also to be a legitimate contender in the entirety of the NBA
Truly, anything can happen in an NBA postseason series. It would be far from a complete shock if Minnesota were to somehow find a way to advance. This San Antonio team, though, is seemingly figuring things out despite their youth and seems ready to shut the door in their favor on this chapter in their young playoff history.
If nothing else, it is fairly evident that the corps of Wembanyama, Devin Vassell, Dylan Harper, and Keldon Johnson will be able to not only be a force in the West for the long term but also a team that the Oklahoma City Thunder will be forced to see as a rival sooner rather than later.
Gabriel Esparza joined The Sidearmer with over six years of sports writing experience. From American football to basketball, to soccer, and to the UFC, he tries to find interesting stories throughout the world of sports. When he is not watching games, he is likely enjoying good music or catching up on some TV shows.
