Spurs Christmas Finals Rematch + Austin Twist: Schedule Shockers Revealed
The San Antonio Spurs’ 2025-26 Schedule: A Wild Ride Awaits!
The NBA schedule dropped on Thursday, and for San Antonio Spurs fans, it’s like getting a map for a rollercoaster—thrilling highs, a few scary drops, and a lot of time on national TV. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just learning who Victor Wembanyama is, here is your simple guide to the Silver and Black’s upcoming season.
The Blockbuster Opening Night
The season doesn’t just start; it explodes out of the gate.
- The Matchup: Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder.
- The Stage: The late game on Opening Night (9:30 p.m. ET on NBC).
- Why It Matters: This is the league’s hottest new rivalry. Last year, these games were bunched up in December and January. This year? They don’t play again until February 11 and March 14 (with a potential 4th meeting in the NBA Cup in December).
ELI5 Alert: Think of the Thunder as the Spurs’ new "arch-nemesis." The NBA is putting them on the biggest stage possible right away to say, "Watch this!"
Christmas at the Garden
If Opening Night is the appetizer, Christmas Day is the main course.
- The Matchup: Spurs @ New York Knicks.
- The Time: Noon ET (the very first game of the day).
- The Venue: Madison Square Garden (The "Mecca" of basketball).
- The Storyline: A Finals Rematch. The Spurs and Knicks meet only twice this year—the second is March 7 in San Antonio.
The "National TV Darlings" (Second Half Surge)
Get your remote ready. The Spurs are going to be everywhere after the All-Star break.
- The Stat: 25 of their final 41 games are on national television. That is the most in the entire league.
- The Streaks: They are the only team with two separate stretches of four straight national games.
- Total Count: 34 national games total (tied with the Knicks, 76ers, and Lakers for the league lead).
IMPORTANT POINT: If you don’t have cable/streaming packages that carry ESPN, TNT, ABC, NBC, or Prime Video, you might miss a huge chunk of the second half of the season. Plan your viewing now!
The "World Tour" & The Austin Experiment
The Spurs are racking up frequent flyer miles this year.
1. NBA Global Games (January)
Right after a game in Atlanta (Jan 10), the team flies across the pond:
- Jan 14: vs. New Orleans Pelicans in Paris, France
- Jan 16: vs. New Orleans Pelicans in Manchester, England
2. The Austin Trilogy (Building a Fanbase)
The Spurs are playing three "home" games in Austin this year at the Moody Center (UT Campus).
| Date | Opponent | The "Vibe" |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 23 | Houston Rockets | F1 Weekend! The US Grand Prix is Oct 25. UT Football vs Ole Miss is that Saturday. Expect celebs (maybe Matthew McConaughey?) and Kevin Durant (UT legend) returning home. |
| Feb 26 | Memphis Grizzlies | Post-All-Star break "home" game. |
| Feb 28 | Denver Nuggets | ABC at Noon CT. Another national spotlight in Austin. |
CALLOUT: The Arena Elephant in the Room
This Austin push happens while San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones asks voters to re-approve $489 million for a new Spurs arena in San Antonio this November. There is worry that without funding, the team could move to Austin. However, CEO RC Buford stated clearly: "San Antonio is home."
The NBA Cup: Revenge & Rivalries
The In-Season Tournament (NBA Cup) schedule looks spicy.
- Nov 13 vs. Golden State Warriors (Home): Remember last year? Wemby threw a massive alley-oop on Draymond Green, leading to an epic stare-down. They meet again in the Cup. Sparks will fly.
- Nov 25 @ Portland Trail Blazers: The Spurs beat them in the Cup last year. Wemby later led a "gentleman’s sweep" (4-1) in the playoffs.
- Group Play Finale vs. Lakers (Home): Hosting Luka Dončić and the new-look Lakers.
- Verdict: The group is tough, but the Spurs are favorites to reach the knockout stage.
The Brutal "Rodeo Road Trip" (February)
Every year, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo kicks the Spurs out of the Frost Bank Center. This year’s trip is a gauntlet.
The Schedule (6 Games in 2 Weeks):
- Feb 9: @ Dallas Mavericks (NBC)
- Feb 11: @ Oklahoma City Thunder (Prime Video) — Rivalry renewed!
- Feb 13: @ Orlando Magic
- Feb 15: @ Miami Heat (NBC, Presidents’ Day) — vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Feb 17: @ Memphis Grizzlies
- Feb 18: @ Minnesota Timberwolves (Back-to-back!) → Straight into All-Star Break.
Survival Mode: The Spurs only have TWO home games in February (Magic on 4th, Lakers on 6th) before this nightmare stretch. If they survive .500 on this trip, it’s a moral victory.
Post-Break Sprint to the Finish
Coming out of the All-Star break, the schedule doesn’t let up.
- Straight to Austin (Feb 26 vs Grizzlies, Feb 28 vs Nuggets).
- Road Trip: @ Denver, @ Houston.
- Result: A full month between games in San Antonio.
- March Homestand Starts: March 7 vs Knicks (Finals rematch) → March 11 vs 76ers (LeBron!) on Prime.
- March 14: @ Oklahoma City (Sunday ABC Showcase).
- March 16: @ Houston.
Summary: What You Need to Know
- Start Big: Opening Night vs Thunder (NBC), Christmas vs Knicks (ABC/ESPN).
- TV Stars: 34 National Games (25 in last 41 games!). You will see them constantly after February.
- Travel Heavy: Paris/Manchester in January; 6-game Rodeo Trip in February; Month-long absence from SA in Feb/March.
- Austin Focus: 3 games in the capital, including a massive F1 Weekend showcase.
- Arena Watch: November vote on $489M funding is the biggest off-court story.
- Cup Rematches: Warriors (revenge/stare-down), Blazers, Lakers (Luka debut in SA).
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. Why are the Spurs on national TV so much?
Because Victor Wembanyama is a global superstar, the team is exciting, and the NBA wants maximum eyeballs on their new "face of the league" and the Spurs/Thunder rivalry.
2. What is the "Rodeo Road Trip"?
Every February, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo takes over the Frost Bank Center for ~3 weeks. The Spurs must play on the road. It is an annual tradition and usually the hardest part of the schedule.
3. Are the Spurs moving to Austin?
Officially: No. CEO RC Buford said "San Antonio is home." However, playing 3 games there and the Mayor asking for arena funding re-approval keeps the rumors alive. The November vote is critical.
4. How can I watch the games in Paris and Manchester?
They will be broadcast on standard NBA national TV partners (likely NBA TV, ESPN, or NBC/Peacock). Check local listings closer to January.
5. Who is the biggest "must-watch" home game?
Feb 28 vs Denver Nuggets in Austin (ABC, Noon CT) or March 11 vs Philadelphia 76ers in San Antonio (Prime Video)—LeBron James vs. Wemby in the Alamo City.
Strap in, Spurs fans. It’s going to be a loud, global, and nationally televised season. ¡Vamos Spurs!