Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons

Three seasons ago, the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons faced off on January 6th. At the time, the winner of the game was actually considered the loser. Both teams were on a downward slide and playing to increase their lottery odds for the ultimate prize, the chance to draft Victor Wembanyama. Now, after two incredible turnarounds by these historic NBA franchises, they meet for the first time this season, looking to secure top seeding in their respective conferences.

Detroit holds the best record in the NBA, and San Antonio has the third. Both teams have a top-five defense and a top-ten offense. They are led by two of the best young players in the NBA, in Wembanyama and Cade Cunningham. In many ways, this is shaping up to be one of the best East vs. West rivalries for the foreseeable future. Monday will be the first of many battles between these two in the years to come.

Advertisement

San Antonio and Detroit are similar teams on the court, too. Both have dominant paint big men in Wembanyama and Jalen Duren, athletic wings like Stephon Castle and Ausar Thompson, and good lead guards like De’Aaron Fox and Cade Cunningham. They lock down the paint and use their athleticism on the perimeter to take chances and create turnovers.

San Antonio is on an eight-game winning streak and is nipping at the Oklahoma City Thunder’s heels for the top seed in the West. Beating Detroit on the road would be another statement victory for the up-and-coming Spurs.

February 23rd, 2026 | 6 PM CT

Watch: Peacock| Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), Stanley Umude – Out (G League), David Jones-Garcia – Out (G League), Mason Plumlee – Out (conditioning), Lindy Waters III – Questionable (knee)

Advertisement

Pistons Injuries: Isaiah Stewart – Out (suspension), Isaac Jones – Out (G League), Bobi Klintman – Out (G League), Chaz Lanier – Out (G League), Wendell Moore Jr. – Out (G League)

What to watch for:

Cade vs. Wemby

Surface-level analysis here: the Pistons and Spurs will go as far as Cunningham and Wembanyama take them. That will be true again on Monday night. Cunningham is Detroit’s…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/game-preview-san-antonio-spurs-080000471.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-02-23 08:00:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.