San Antonio Spurs supporters have been identified as the most optimistic fanbase in the NBA heading into the 2026-27 season. A comprehensive survey of 5,000 fans placed the Spurs at the top of a weighted Hope Index with a score of 98 out of 100. This confidence comes even as the team's most recent result was a 90-94 loss to the New York Knicks on June 14, 2026, part of a recent stretch where they lost four of their last five games.
The belief extends far beyond simple regular-season success. That figure towers over the league-wide average of just 26 percent. It shows fans view last season's run to the NBA Finals as a starting point, not the peak. After winning 62 games and reaching the championship series, 81 percent of supporters now expect at least 50 victories in the upcoming campaign.
No other fanbase matched this combination of title expectations and overall team confidence. Spurs fans gave their squad an average confidence rating of 8.7 out of 10, the highest mark in the entire study. The survey measured several factors, including playoff expectations, confidence in the head coach, and offseason satisfaction. It also asked if fans felt better about their team now than they did a year ago.
The New York Knicks, who just defeated the Spurs twice in a row to close the 2026 Finals, ranked second with a Hope Index score of 95. The Philadelphia 76ers placed third at 90. Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat fans completed the top five, making the Spurs one of only five fanbases to score 80 or higher. The Knicks' victories, including a 107-106 win on June 11 and the 90-94 result on June 14, clearly didn't shake the foundational belief in San Antonio.
Looking at the recent form, the Spurs' last five games show a 1W-4L record (LLWLL). Beyond the Finals losses to New York, they also fell 104-105 and 95-105 to the Knicks earlier in the series. Their lone win in that stretch was a 115-111 victory in New York on June 9. You can review the team's complete schedule and results on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.
The challenge now is transforming that overwhelming fan optimism into tangible results on the court. The data suggests last season's Finals appearance, ending in a tough series against the Knicks, actually strengthened the fanbase's conviction. Supporters believe the franchise is built to finish the job next time. This creates significant anticipation for the offseason moves and the start of the 2026-27 regular season.
Team confidence will be tested early. The roster, coaching strategies, and player development during the summer will all be under a microscope. Fans expecting 50-plus wins and a championship parade will be watching every pick and roll, every defensive rotation, and every clutch three-pointer. The pressure is on, but according to the survey, the belief in the Alamodome and beyond has never been higher.
