San Antonio Spurs: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 season opener

The San Antonio Spurs tipped off their 2018-19 season by hosting a young, hungry Western Conference rival. What can we learn from the team’s season opener?

The 2018-19 season has finally arrived for the San Antonio Spurs. Thanks to free agency, trades and recent injuries, this year’s Spurs look a lot different. Tony Parker left for the Charlotte Hornets, Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green were traded for DeMar DeRozan, and Manu Ginobili finally retired.

With so many changes, the Spurs and Gregg Popovich had a lot of questions coming into the season, mostly at point guard. Dejounte Murray is out all season with a torn ACL; Lonnie Walker IV is out 6-8 weeks and so is Derrick White.

Despite a lot of roster turnover, the Spurs didn’t seem to miss a beat against Jimmy Butler and the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night. They controlled most of the game, leading the entire first half thanks to a big first quarter. However, the Wolves got the game within four points by halftime.

Minnesota then used a strong third quarter to get back in the game and take the lead thanks to Jeff Teague‘s 11 points in the third. While the Wolves would hang around early in the fourth, the Spurs overcame them and took the lead for a good stretch on David Bertans’ 3-pointer with 7:15 left in the game. DeRozan put the game away for good with a mid-range shot with just 32 seconds left on the clock.

The Spurs got in the win column right away without any member of their original Big 3, but still have their work cut out for them in a tight Western Conference. What can we learn from the silver and black’s first win of the season?