From the Archives: Chasing a Sixth Banner, With a New Name…

By the Spurs Nightly Desk · Friday, September 18

San Antonio's five titles came from Popovich, Robinson and Duncan; last season's run to the club's first Finals since 2014 came under new coach Mitch Johnson and ended in a loss to the Knicks. Victor Wembanyama now anchors the next chapter, in a city that has marketed itself to Spurs fans for two decades.

Spurs Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

How does last season's Finals run fit into Spurs history?

San Antonio's five championships, in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014, all came under Gregg Popovich, coaching either David Robinson or Tim Duncan. Popovich moved to president of basketball operations in May 2025, handing the sideline to Mitch Johnson. Last season's 62-20 record and Finals appearance, the club's first since 2014, happened under Johnson, ending in a five-game loss to the Knicks.

Does Wembanyama continue the Robinson-Duncan line at center?

David Robinson arrived in 1989-90 after the 1987 draft lottery and his Navy service; Tim Duncan joined in 1997, and the two anchored all five Spurs titles between them. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio's No. 1 pick in 2023, is now the center that team-building runs through, entering his third season as the roster's most established building block.

Where does the Oklahoma City rivalry come from?

San Antonio upset the defending champion Thunder in the 2025 NBA Cup semifinals, then beat them again in a seven-game Western Conference finals to reach last season's Finals. New York is the newer measuring stick, having beaten San Antonio in the Cup championship game and then in the Finals itself, in five games.

Why does this roster still play fast and pass-first?

The Popovich era set this identity — quick pace, unselfish passing, accountability on defense — and Johnson's team kept it last season, finishing third leaguewide in both offense and defense, with an 8.4 point differential that ranked second leaguewide.

How has the Spurs' home identity carried through the decades?

The franchise debuted at HemisFair Arena in 1973 before 6,000 fans; fifty years later, on January 13, 2023, it set the NBA's regular-season attendance record with 68,323 at the Alamodome against the Warriors. The "Noches Latinas" nights, marketed under the "Los Spurs" name since 2006-07, continue that same pull on San Antonio's fan base.

The verdictThe five banners came from Robinson and Duncan under Popovich; the next one, if it comes, runs through Wembanyama and a coach who inherited the job from Popovich himself.

How many championships have the Spurs won?

Five, in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014, all under coach Gregg Popovich.

When did the Spurs last reach the NBA Finals?

Last season, 2025-26, when they lost to the Knicks in five games, their first Finals trip since 2014.