Next, San Antone cruised past Russell Westbrook's Wizards with growing pains in store for fellow new addition, Andrew Wiggins, seeking to fill Bradley Beal's absence.
R.J. Barrett and Obi Toppin didn't stand a chance against the dynastic silver-and-black squad, losing badly to the champs. The Clippers would take their pound of flesh in an overtime thriller that featured a mini-duel between Ingram & Leonard, with the Slender-Man ripping the ball loose and nearly being the difference maker, were it not for Leonard's clutch mid-range prowess. P.J. Tucker got a corner 3PT chance at the buzzer, but it would not fall, as the Spurs ate their first defeat, 104-105, in Los Angeles. The clutch effort by Leonard outshone a posterizing dunk by Ingram past Rudy Gobert.
Two wins would follow, the first coming in another wild affair with the Golden State Warriors, with San Antonio winning 117-112 on the road. Steph Curry's heroics swiped the ball free with 55s left to play, taking the easy layup for a 112-111 advantage, but that would be Golden State's final basket. Dejounte Murray got a sturdy screen from Drummond and made the layup past DeAndre Jordan to retake the lead. Bradley Beal would get an open look at a 3PTer in the corner on the fast break, but misfired for his new team. Ingram nailed a turnaround jumper with 12s left. The Warriors called timeout, but Beal missed a second perimeter opportunity against tight defense.
The Lakers would showcase Klay Thompson's nuclear rapidity, trailing by 15 points and then unleashing the Klay, clawing all the way back to tie the game, forcing the Spurs to bring back the stars onto the court. Fred VanVleet nailed a 3PT dagger to end the awkward turn for the worst, as Coach Pop visibly reproached the bench for losing control of the lead. Klay would get a chance from deep, but stellar defensive pressure by Dejounte Murray did enough to make the ball go awry as Murray then buried two clutch free throws to finally ice the contest.