Who on Earth can stop Wembanyama?

Live to see it. The Spurs — who would’ve thought? — are the best team in the NBA after just four games. It almost sounds unbelievable, but maybe those four low-key preseason wins were a sign of things to come.

Since the start of the 2025–26 season, San Antonio has beaten the Mavericks, Pelicans, Nets, and now the Raptors (121–103). Admittedly, none of those teams are top-tier opponents on paper, and two of those wins came at home — three in Texas if you count the one in Dallas. But still, these are the kinds of games you have to win.

And more importantly, the Spurs are showing a way of playing that brings back the spirit of a franchise still trying to recover from its golden era — the Tim Duncan years, the five rings, and all that glory — but that now has a new reason to believe: Victor Wembanyama.

The French center, a generational talent with no equal, looks fully recovered from the blood clot that sidelined him last season. He’s back to doing what he does best — dominating the game. With Gregg Popovich out of the picture due to health issues (he was honored during the game against the Nets), interim coach Mitch Johnson has moved away from the nostalgic, slow-tempo style of the past and embraced what the Spurs should’ve been doing all along: winning.

At 4–0, San Antonio sits atop the always-tough Western Conference alongside the Thunder — the two best teams in the league right now. It’s still only late October, and there’s a long way to go, but this start is worth celebrating for a franchise that’s endured six straight losing seasons, missing the playoffs every year after a historic 22-year postseason streak — the same number once held by the Nationals/76ers between 1950 and 1971. That’s quite a feat in American sports history.

Wembanyama, now healthy and sharper than ever, looks sensational. Against the Raptors, he dominated effortlessly, scoring 24 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists while shooting 7-of-8 from the field and a perfect 10-of-10 from the line — all without attempting a single three-pointer. He added one block this time after recording 3, 9, and 6 in the previous three games. And he did it all in just over 30 minutes of play, maximizing every possession and keeping things simple. The Spurs haven’t just won — they’ve done so comfortably.

That’s allowed Johnson to manage minutes smartly, especially for Wembanyama, whose health and energy will be crucial later in the season. The real test might not be the playoffs in April (though that’s looking increasingly possible), but the stretch run — when the West turns into the Wild West, and teams fight tooth and nail for postseason spots. And San Antonio, finally, looks ready to claim its place.

Related stories

Boxing

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao rematch on the cards

MLS

Messi hits out at MLS transfer rules

Against Toronto, the Spurs led from start to finish after a 41–29 first-quarter run, building a 22-point lead and overcoming 20 turnovers with incredible shooting efficiency — over 58 percent from the field and 48 percent from beyond the arc. They also hit 30 of 36 free throws, a number that had the Raptors grumbling. RJ Barrett’s 25 points and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles’ 19 (the ninth overall pick in the draft) weren’t enough for the Canadians to keep up.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.