Spurs Look to End Skid Against Struggling Wizards

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The San Antonio Spurs (22-28) face off against the Washington Wizards (9-43) at Capital One Arena on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET. Both teams enter the matchup on two-game losing streaks, with the Spurs hoping to bounce back after a narrow loss to the Orlando Magic, while the Wizards are reeling from a defeat against the Atlanta Hawks.

In their last encounter on Nov. 13, the Spurs edged out the Wizards in a close contest, winning 139-130. San Antonio is currently favored by 11 points, with the over/under set at 237.5 points, showing slight movement from the opening odds.

The Spurs are coming off a tough 112-111 loss to Orlando, where guard Devin Vassell led the team with 25 points. Meanwhile, the Wizards fell to the Hawks 125-111, as Jordan Poole contributed a strong performance with 23 points.

Injuries will also play a significant role in the game. The Wizards are missing starting players Alex Sarr (ankle) and Marcus Smart (finger), with Khris Middleton also expected to miss the matchup. The Spurs will be without Charles Bassey (knee) and have several players in the G League.

Spurs’ center Victor Wembanyama remains a crucial player for his team, boasting an average of 24.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game this season. He leads the league with an average of 3.9 blocks per game. After struggling recently, Wembanyama aims to capitalize on Washington’s struggling defense, which ranks at the bottom in allowing points to opposing centers.

“It’s a great opportunity for Wemby to assert himself against a team that has had trouble rebounding and defending in the paint,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “He needs to take charge tomorrow night.”

On the other hand, the Wizards are banking on Poole’s ability to generate scoring. He is leading the team with an average of 20.8 points per game and is consistently knocking down three-pointers at a rate of 37.7 percent. Rookie Bilal Coulibaly will also need to step up, contributing 12.6 points and adding depth to the team’s offensive options.

Wizards’ head coach Wes Unseld Jr. reflected on his team’s current struggles, saying, “We’ve faced some adversity with injuries, but we need to focus on execution and defense every night. This game is an opportunity for our guys to play with confidence.”

San Antonio’s recent performances have depicted a need for better defensive rotations, aiming to secure a victory in the nation’s capital to maintain their playoff aspirations. A win would be pivotal for the Spurs, potentially changing the trajectory of their season as they head towards the All-Star break.

Given the circumstances, the Spurs hope to regain momentum, while the Wizards aim to break their two-game losing streak and show resilience against one of the league’s stronger teams.