San Antonio Spurs Make History with Perfect 5-0 Start Behind Wembanyama’s Dominance

There’s something electric happening with the San Antonio Spurs, and it’s not just the Texas heat seeping into the Frost Bank Center. For the first time in their storied 57-year history, the San Antonio Spurs have started a season 5-0, and they’ve got a 7-foot-4 French phenom to thank for it.

Victor Wembanyama put on an absolute clinic Thursday night, stuffing the stat sheet with 27 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, and five blocked shots as the Spurs edged out a gritty Miami Heat squad 107-101. But the numbers, as impressive as they are, don’t tell the whole story of what’s unfolding in the Alamo City.

Wembanyama Proves He’s the Real Deal

This wasn’t some cupcake opponent rolling over for the young Spurs. Miami came into San Antonio riding a three-game winning streak and looking to spoil the party. Despite missing key rotation pieces—Norman Powell, Tyler Herro, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Nikola Jovic were all sidelined—the Heat fought tooth and nail to stay competitive.

Bam Adebayo, Miami’s All-Star center, brought his A-game with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists in what became a fascinating heavyweight battle between two of the league’s premier big men. But when the game was on the line, it was Wembanyama who rose to the occasion—literally and figuratively.

With just 14.6 seconds remaining and the San Antonio Spurs clinging to their lead, Wembanyama drew a foul from Andrew Wiggins. As he picked himself up off the hardwood, the young star turned to the crowd of 18,702 and gestured emphatically for them to get on their feet. They were already there, standing and roaring, witnessing history being made right before their eyes.

A Balanced Attack Powers the Perfect Start

While Wembanyama grabbed the headlines—and deservedly so—this wasn’t a one-man show. Six Spurs players finished in double figures, showcasing the depth and balance that head coach Gregg Popovich has cultivated. Stephon Castle, the rookie out of UConn, continued his impressive start to his professional career with 21 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Devin Vassell chipped in 17 points, providing the perimeter scoring punch San Antonio needed.

This balanced attack is what makes this San Antonio Spurs team dangerous. When you’ve got Wembanyama patrolling the paint—extending his remarkable streak to 90 consecutive games with at least one block, the fourth-longest in NBA history—and multiple scoring threats surrounding him, you’ve got the makings of something special.

Miami’s Fourth-Quarter Surge Falls Just Short

Give credit where it’s due: Miami didn’t go quietly into that good night. The Heat mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback, outscoring San Antonio 29-20 in the final frame. They embarked on a blistering 17-1 run over the first 4:35 of the quarter, with Wembanyama’s lone free throw the only point preventing a complete shutout during that stretch.

For a moment, it looked like the Cinderella story might have an unhappy ending. The undermanned Heat, playing with heart and determination, had found its groove at exactly the right time. But championship DNA—and yes, San Antonio still has plenty of that coursing through the organization—kicked in when it mattered most.

The San Antonio Spurs closed the game on an 8-3 run, weathering Miami’s storm and preserving their unblemished record. It was the kind of poised, veteran-like finish you don’t always see from young teams, but then again, when you’ve got Wembanyama orchestrating things, conventional wisdom goes out the window.

Historic Company

Before Thursday night, the San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, and Sacramento Kings shared an unusual distinction: they were the only NBA franchises never to start a season 5-0. Now, San Antonio stands alone at the top, having empathically exited that club.

The franchise had previously started 4-0 on three occasions, most recently in 2017, but that elusive fifth consecutive win to open a season had remained frustratingly out of reach—until now. This isn’t just a feel-good story for Spurs fans; it’s a statement to the rest of the league that San Antonio is back in the conversation.

What’s Next

The test doesn’t get any easier for either squad. Miami heads west to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, looking to regroup after their first loss of the young season. Meanwhile, the Spurs will take their perfect record to Phoenix on Sunday, where they’ll face a Suns team desperate to right their own ship after a disappointing 1-4 start.

Can San Antonio keep this magic carpet ride going? With Wembanyama playing like a legitimate MVP candidate and a supporting cast that’s buying into their roles, there’s no reason to think they can’t. The Spurs have history, culture, and now, a generational talent leading the way.

The rest of the league has been put on notice: San Antonio is no longer rebuilding. They’re contending, and they’re doing it spectacularly.