Spurs at Jazz GAMEDAY Preview: Will San Antonio End Franchise-Worst Skid?

The San Antonio Spurs face the Utah Jazz at the Vivint Arena. Will the losing streak stop at 15, or does Utah prolong the miserable stretch?

Author:
Lance Roberson
Publish date:
Feb 25, 2023 12:20 PM EST

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San Antonio Spurs

Misery loves company, as the old saying goes. Where does the fun start at 15 consecutive losses for the San Antonio Spurs?

Even for a rebuilding franchise, such a dip sounds low. On the road vs. the Utah Jazz, San Antonio seemingly needs divine intervention for a victory Saturday night. How will the Spurs fare against a team that's 5-5 in its last 10 games?

Analysis-wise, the Spurs are who they are: a fast-paced team, albeit registering terrible offensive production, with no defensive resistance. Winning is clearly not on the agenda in San Antonio. Gregg Popovich's job is to steer the ship into a blissful iceberg that is a losing season and sell it to a city that's not accustomed to losing as a regularity.

However, losing doesn't have to appear so painful. But when the injuries stack and your roster consists of inexperienced prospects, expecting anything more is foolish. Popovich's patience is at an admiral level. In a forbidden place of losing as the goal, the five-time NBA championship coach continues to treat this season with just the right amount of humor and grace.

Popovich praised Zach Collins and Keldon Johnson for their toughness after losing to the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 23.

"Zach and Keldon deserve some credit. They're banged up also, but they're trying to lead the way with so many guys out. I thought their leadership was great tonight."

Following the trade deadline moves of core role players, the Jazz don't shape up as the typical threat. Nonetheless, coming shorthanded to a duel vs. a win-starved San Antonio team still leaves you with more fingers as the Spurs deal with injuries to an already depleted squad.