The Spurs host Minnesota on a date that has favored them: they are 5-1 in past October 31 games. At 3-2 with three straight wins, they bring a franchise history built on patience into a game against an opponent playing without Anthony Edwards.
How have the Spurs done on October 31 over the years?
Well. San Antonio is 5-1 in the October 31 games on record. The only loss was a 134-104 defeat at Denver in 1986, during the lean years after George Gervin was traded. The wins include a 145-120 home rout of Denver in 1981, a 120-90 win at Phoenix in 2018 and a 106-88 win at Utah in 2024. Tonight Minnesota comes to Frost Bank Center.
Should a 3-2 start worry fans after last season's 62-20?
No. The current pace projects to 49-33, and the winning streak is at three. The franchise's standard was built on steadiness: 50 wins every season from 1999-2000 through 2016-17, an 18-year run. After five games this group is close to that line, with a 6.0 net rating. It has also climbed from 23rd to 11th in the power rankings in a week. Eighth in the West, half a game behind sixth, is a fair place to start.
What does the franchise's lottery history say about Dylan Harper?
The 1987 lottery brought David Robinson. When he arrived in 1989-90, the Spurs went 56-26, the biggest one-season turnaround in league history. Harper, the No. 2 pick in 2025, joined a team that already wins, but he is the same kind of long-term investment. He is averaging 17.2 points with 4.6 assists over five games. He scored a personal-best 25 against the Knicks and has played eight more minutes a night over his last three games.
Who is available against Minnesota?
Stephon Castle is listed day-to-day with a head issue, and Paul Garcia reported, citing the team, that Castle is questionable with a migraine. Tobias Harris is still sidelined by his calf injury, with an estimated return of November 6. Quaintance is out until around December 3. Minnesota is thinner. Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo are out, and Rudy Gobert is day-to-day. The Wolves also come in with no rest, playing their fifth game in eight days, while San Antonio has had two days off.
What does the Gervin era say about Wembanyama's scoring?
Gervin won the 1977-78 scoring title, a race that included his 63 points in New Orleans. His teams won five division titles in the franchise's first seven NBA years but kept losing in the playoffs. The titles came later, under Popovich, with Robinson and Duncan. Wembanyama is averaging 25.0 points with 11.4 rebounds and had 36 and 14 at Utah. Around him, Julian Champagnie is making 48.6% of his threes and De'Aaron Fox is averaging 7.0 assists.
What is the Spurs' record on October 31?
San Antonio is 5-1 in the October 31 games on record. The only loss came at Denver in 1986.
Will Stephon Castle play against the Timberwolves?
Castle is listed day-to-day with a head issue, and a report citing the team called him questionable with a migraine. His status will be decided closer to tip-off.
