The San Antonio Spurs are beginning to look like a team built for the postseason—and it’s happening in a way few expected.
Through their first-round matchup against Portland, the Spurs have elevated their three-point shooting to elite levels. After finishing the regular season as a middle-of-the-pack perimeter team, they’ve caught fire at precisely the right time, knocking down an impressive 42% of their shots from beyond the arc. That leap isn’t just noticeable—it’s one of the best marks in the playoffs so far.
What makes this surge even more intriguing is that it’s coming from a relatively young core still gaining experience in high-pressure situations. Instead of shrinking under the spotlight, San Antonio has sharpened one of its key offensive weapons, turning solid shooting into a defining strength.
A major contributor to this transformation has been Julian Champagnie, whose impact continues to fly under the radar. During the regular season, he established himself as one of the team’s most reliable long-range threats, and he has taken that efficiency to another level in the playoffs. His ability to consistently convert open looks has stretched Portland’s defense and created more room for the Spurs’ offensive flow.
Players like Champagnie often play a crucial role on contending teams. His off-ball movement, shot selection, and timely scoring provide the kind of spacing that allows stars and playmakers to operate more freely. It’s the type of complementary skill set that championship teams have historically relied on.
Of course, much of the Spurs’ offensive success still revolves around Victor Wembanyama—even beyond his scoring. His presence alone alters defensive schemes. When he attacks the paint, defenders are forced to collapse, leaving shooters open on the perimeter. That gravitational pull has been a key factor behind the team’s improved three-point efficiency.
The difference is especially clear when he’s not on the floor. In a game where Wembanyama exited early due to injury, San Antonio’s offensive rhythm noticeably dipped. Their shooting percentage from deep fell, and the number of quality looks decreased. While the team showed resilience by adjusting in the following game, it’s evident that their offense reaches its full potential when he’s active and commanding attention.
This combination of improved shooting and the unique impact of their franchise star has made the Spurs a difficult matchup. More importantly, it suggests a team that isn’t just maintaining its level of play—but actively improving as the stakes rise.
For a young squad, that kind of growth is both rare and dangerous.
If San Antonio continues to shoot at this level while maximizing the advantages created by Wembanyama’s presence, they could quickly shift from an intriguing playoff team to a legitimate threat.
