The Spurs began in Dallas in 1967 as the Chaparrals, and Saturday they won there for their first victory of 2026-27. At 1-2, the franchise's own history says how much to read into three games.
Why does a win in Dallas feel different for this franchise?
The club started in 1967 as the Dallas Chaparrals under player-coach Cliff Hagan, then wandered to Fort Worth and Lubbock when attendance sagged. Saturday's 122-106 win at the Mavericks was built on a 23-point lead and a 30-17 fourth quarter. Dallas had five players listed out, Cooper Flagg among them, so the win counts, but it counts with that context attached.
Does 1-2 mean anything after a 62-20 season?
Not much yet, and the franchise has a precedent for sharp swings. In 1989-90, David Robinson arrived after his Navy service, Larry Brown took over, and San Antonio went 56-26, the biggest one-season turnaround in NBA history. This group starts from the other side, coming off 62-20 and a Finals trip. Three games are a small sample. The Spurs sit 11th in the Western standings, one and a half games from sixth.
Can this group match the old 50-win standard?
From 1999-2000 through 2016-17, the Spurs won 50 games every year, 18 straight. Last season's 62-20 was their best mark since 2015-16, so the standard is within reach. The early pace projects to 27-55, which is arithmetic from three games, not a forecast. The more useful note is defensive: Dallas scored 29 in the third quarter before the Spurs shut the door.
Who carries the load the way Gervin and Robinson once did?
Nobody has to carry it alone. Victor Wembanyama scored 23 with four blocks and a +32 in 29 minutes. Dylan Harper added 22, De'Aaron Fox had 19 and nine assists, and Stephon Castle had 19 and eight assists. Harper has now scored 18, 20 and 22 in three games. Balanced scoring suits a franchise whose identity is unselfish passing.
What comes next after Dallas?
The Kings visit Tuesday, October 27, and the Spurs travel to Utah the next night. Tobias Harris remains listed out with a left calf injury. The starting lineup is still unannounced, and reports on October 19 and 23 named players without saying who starts. Dallas returns to the schedule on November 4, with a chance to repeat Saturday.
What was the score when the Spurs played the Mavericks on October 24?
San Antonio won 122-106 at Dallas, leading by as many as 23. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 23 points.
Where did the Spurs franchise begin?
It began in 1967 as the Dallas Chaparrals of the ABA. The Spurs name came in 1973, after a group of San Antonio businessmen leased the team.
