The Spurs are having arguably their best stretch of the season, following a win against the Clippers in their return home from the Rodeo Road Trip. San Antonio has only dropped one of their last 15 games, and it was to the Knicks, another contender that is firing on all cylinders.
The success has been impressive, but it has not come easily. The travel and the bouts against physical teams take their toll, as we’ve learned from an emotional Victor Wembanyama after Friday’s victory. “I thought I was
about to pass out from the first quarter from exhaustion,” Wembanyama said in his postgame interview. “That was close to being the hardest game of my life. It might not have looked like it, but we played a helluva game against the most physical team in the league yesterday, and played tonight against a physical team as well. I’m about to pass out.”
Wemby and the rest of the Spurs had two nights of sleep to recover before leading his team into their next challenge. The Rockets are another physical squad, and they will be motivated not only because they are facing a rival but also because a win would help them jockey for position in the second tier of the West standings. They have not looked like the bona fide contenders many pegged them to be heading into the season, in large part due to injuries, but they have beaten the Spurs once already this season. The talent, athleticism, and, yes, physicality are there to make this a tough matchup for a San Antonio team that will look to continue its impressive play.
San Antonio Spurs (46-17) vs Houston Rockets (39-23)
March 8, 2026 | 7:00 PM CT
Watch: NBC/Peacock | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs injuries: Harrison Barnes – OUT (ankle), Mason Plumlee – OUT (conditioning)
Rockets injuries: Fred VanVleet – OUT (knee), Steven Adams – OUT (ankle), Jae’Sean Tate – OUT (knee)
What to watch for:
- The battle on the glass. The Rockets are the best offensive rebounding team in the league, but they have struggled to impose their will on the Spurs, the best defensive rebounding team in the league. In the past two matchups, offensive rebounding wasn’t a huge factor. In San Antonio’s win, they allowed their opponent 17 offensive rebounds but only nine second-chance points. In Houston’s win, the Silver and Black actually dominated on the offensive glass, getting more boards and 10 more second-chance points. Still, protecting the glass is something the Spurs will have to be mindful of, not only to keep the Rockets from getting second opportunities but also to push the ball off misses for transition buckets.
- Two young guards could be X Factors. Dylan Harper has been killing it lately. In the past 15 games, the rookie is averaging 13 points, three rebounds, four assists, and a steal. The shot has been falling, the defense has been impressive, and he continues to be a menace on drives. He gives the bench a second scorer to complement Keldon Johnson, and could be a problem for a Rockets’ defense that tries to wall off the paint. For Houston, a good game from Reed Sheppard could be a requirement for a win. The second-year guard is a defensive liabity but his team simply lacks three-point shooting and scoring when he’s not on the floor. Harper was big in San Antonio’s win over the Rockets this season, and the same was true for Sheppard in Houston’s victory.
- The Spurs will have to prove once again that they can handle size and physicality. At this point, no one should doubt that the Spurs are comfortable when things get physical or downright chippy. It doesn’t mean the Rockets won’t test them, though. Houston has size on its side, with Amen Thompson at point guard, a burly center in Alperen Sengun, and big, athletic wings. San Antonio is smaller in the starting lineup and will need to find somewhere to hide De’Aaron Fox. Assuming Castle takes the Kevin Durant assignment again, Tari Eason seems like the best matchup for Fox, but it will take a team effort on defense to keep the Rockets off the glass and from bullying their way to the paint. Carter Bryant, who has been playing well recently, could be important in this matchup, as he gives San Antonio the kind of length and athleticism needed to match Houston in the perimeter.
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