Spurs Veteran Opens Up. Spurs Veteran Opens Up. The San Antonio Spurs’ struggles continued with a 133-129 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, further deepening their rough stretch.
Since Victor Wembanyama’s season-ending injury right after the All-Star Break, the Spurs have struggled to regain momentum. Their two matchups against Dallas presented an opportunity to climb back into the Western Conference Play-In race, but instead, they fell short once again. Spurs forward Keldon Johnson acknowledged the recurring issues.
“We’ve just got to stay locked in. It’s the little details that separate teams. We have to focus on those and keep pushing to improve,” said Johnson, the team’s longest-tenured player, emphasizing the need for full 48-minute effort.
San Antonio’s recent performances have followed a frustrating pattern. An eight-point halftime deficit turned into a 17-point loss to Minnesota. Before that, a six-point lead after the first quarter against Sacramento became a 14-point halftime hole. The Spurs have now dropped eight of their last 11 games since Wembanyama’s blood clot diagnosis.
A Painful Loss Against a Shorthanded Dallas Team
The loss to Dallas was particularly frustrating given the circumstances. The Mavericks, already dealing with major roster upheaval after trading Luka Dončić and losing Kyrie Irving to a season-ending injury, played with just eight active players. Missing Anthony Davis, as well as key rotation pieces Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington, they still managed to outlast the Spurs, who entered the night just three games behind them in the standings.
“At the end of the day, it’s the NBA. You’ve got to give them credit,” said Spurs forward and former Maverick Harrison Barnes.
“They came in and executed their game plan. We were right there, but had some untimely turnovers—mine included—and a few defensive miscues. But that’s just how this league works,” he added.
Barnes led the Spurs with 29 points, while Dallas was fueled by Spencer Dinwiddie and Klay Thompson, who scored 28 and 26 points, respectively. In total, four Mavericks players finished with 20+ points.
Communication and Execution Still a Work in Progress
Barnes pointed out the team’s biggest flaw in the loss.
“I think right now, the most important thing for us is communication. It’s not just about positions—it’s about making sure everyone is on the same page,” he explained.
Johnson echoed those sentiments.
“I feel like we could’ve been sharper,” he said.
Johnson, who was the Spurs’ leading scorer two seasons ago at 22 points per game, has transitioned into a key reserve role, averaging 12.5 points this year. Against the Mavericks, he stepped up with 28 points, continuing a strong scoring stretch since Wembanyama’s absence.
“That’s just who I am. I play hard, I bring energy to the team,” Johnson said. “My mindset is always about effort.”
Since the All-Star Break, Johnson has reached double figures in every game except one, further proving his value. But for him, individual stats aren’t the goal.
“I just want to win, plain and simple. That’s what drives me,” he said.
Unfortunately, wins have been hard to come by in San Antonio.
