NBA Power Rankings Week 3: Are the Golden State Warriors back?

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is congratulated by teammates after he made a three-point basket against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center on January 04, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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29. . 5-4. Previous: 17th. San Antonio Spurs. 18. team

Last Week: Lost to Utah Jazz 130-109, Beat LA Clippers 116-113, Beat Los Angeles Lakers 118-109, Beat/OT Minnesota Timberwolves 125-122

This Week: 1/10 at Minnesota Timberwolves, 1/12 at Oklahoma City Thunder, 1/14 vs. Houston Rockets, 1/16 vs. Houston Rockets

What a week for the San Antonio Spurs, a team many had predicted to drop out of the playoff race. Picking up victories against both teams from Los Angeles in Los Angeles is no small feat. Then they had to face Karl-Anthony Towns in his surprise return and pulled out another victory.

It is hard to imagine how different the Spurs are without turning over too much of their roster. They continue to lean into a more modern style of basketball and it is paying off. DeMar DeRozan went off against the Minnesota Timberwolves for 38 points. Patty Mills buried the LA Clippers under a barrage of 3-pointers (eight to be exact). LaMarcus Aldridge dropped 28 points on the Los Angeles Lakers.

All of this is happening while Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson and Lonnie Walker IV are averaging double figures in scoring. The Spurs continue to develop interesting young players while getting the most out of their three veterans before they consider moving them closer to the trade deadline.

Things will get even more interesting once Derrick White comes back. This team is finally fun for the first time in a while. Even if they end up winning less by the end of the season, that is the start of something.