The San Antonio Spurs secured their first victory of the 2026-27 NBA season with a 122-106 road win over the Dallas Mavericks on October 24. This result snapped a two-game losing streak to start the year, moving the team's recent form to 1W-2L. A key timeout from head coach Mitch Johnson sparked a massive defensive shift that turned the game around.
With 5:53 left in the second quarter, Daniel Gafford's dunk and roar gave Dallas a 49-43 lead. The Spurs looked sluggish. Johnson's timeout changed everything. San Antonio came out with renewed defensive pressure, forcing 21 Mavericks turnovers that led to 26 points. Guards Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and De’Aaron Fox were active, each recording multiple steals. That defensive energy ignited easy runouts and a 25-11 scoring burst that swung the game. It was the exact effort Johnson has demanded after a concerning preseason and opening losses to the Thunder and Rockets.
San Antonio is still working through its new lineups. The four-guard starting group has a +1.8 net rating in 28 minutes, with good defense but shaky offense. The bigger issue is the second unit. When Fox subs out early to run with Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie, and Luke Kornet, the offense stalls. That specific lineup has a disastrous -77.8 net rating in just 9 minutes. It lacks playmaking and becomes Fox-dominated with little flow. Kornet's struggles are a major factor. He was -18 in 14 minutes against Dallas, failing to finish inside or protect the rim. His offensive limitations hurt the bench's spacing and scoring.
The schedule offers a chance to build momentum. After opening with a 104-116 loss to Oklahoma City and a 110-114 defeat to Houston, this win could be a turning point. The Spurs now face a softer stretch against teams that missed last season's playoffs. Their next test is at home against the Sacramento Kings on October 27. Stringing together dominant wins is the response Johnson wants. Consistency in effort and intensity, not only flipping a switch, will define this early season. Fans can track the upcoming slate on our schedule page. The team must solve its bench woes quickly to capitalize on this favorable schedule.
