The San Antonio Spurs made NBA history with an 18-0 start against the Golden State Warriors, ambushing them in the first quarter of their first game since Steph Curry went down injured.
The Spurs came in on a roll: 10-2 and second in the West, unbeaten in their last 10 games. The Warriors were 8-4, sixth in the West, and without a player who has led the team in scoring in eight of his 10 games this season.
A team already playing its best basketball
The Spurs finished last season 62-20 and have not eased off. They are 6-0 on the road and 4-2 at home, with a net rating of +11.2. They score 119.2 points a game, fifth in the league, and allow 108.0, seventh.
Victor Wembanyama drives it. He averages 30.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 4.4 blocks in 30 minutes a night. Dylan Harper adds 18.0 points and De'Aaron Fox 14.2 points and 6.2 assists, so the scoring does not hang on one man.
That depth is what a team with an 18-0 opening burst looks like on paper. Before the game, the Spurs had won 10 straight, including a 124-119 win in Chicago.
Spurs scoring leaders
Per game, after 12 games in 2026-27
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Wembanyama | 30.3 | 11.7 | 2.8 | 54.3% |
| Dylan Harper | 18.0 | 5.4 | 4.8 | 49.7% |
| De'Aaron Fox | 14.2 | 4.3 | 6.2 | 51.4% |
| Stephon Castle | 14.0 | 5.6 | 5.0 | 39.4% |
| Devin Vassell | 11.9 | 3.8 | 3.1 | 40.6% |
| Julian Champagnie | 10.3 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 45.5% |
Golden State loses its top scorer
Curry is listed as out with a right oblique tear, and his expected return is Saturday, December 12. He was averaging 27.8 points, fourth in the NBA, on 50.0% shooting and 45.7% from three. Over his last five games he averaged 26.4 points, though he managed just 3 points in Wednesday's loss at Houston.
The Warriors' record was built at home, where they are 6-1. On the road they are 2-3, and the loss in Houston was their most recent result before this game. They rank fourth in the league on offense at 119.3 points a game and 10th on defense, allowing 111.5.
Without Curry, Yaxel Lendeborg (21.7 points) and Brandin Podziemski (17.3) become the first options, with Draymond Green running the offense at 7.5 assists a night. Curry has played 10 of the Warriors' 12 games.
Golden State went 37-45 last season and finished 10th in the West. This year's 8-4 start had been a clear step forward, and it now has to continue without its leading scorer.
Warriors scoring leaders
Per game, 2026-27, Curry out for the next four weeks or so
| Player | Games | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Curry | 10 | 27.8 | 3.7 | 3.9 |
| Yaxel Lendeborg | 12 | 21.7 | 7.4 | 3.7 |
| Brandin Podziemski | 10 | 17.3 | 5.1 | 4.2 |
| Brandon Williams | 10 | 10.4 | 2.1 | 2.3 |
| De'Anthony Melton | 12 | 10.1 | 4.3 | 2.3 |
| Draymond Green | 10 | 3.2 | 4.9 | 7.5 |
The games ahead
The Spurs go to Utah on Sunday at 5:00 PM ET, then face the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday and the LA Clippers on Thursday.
The Warriors play at the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday at 8:00 PM ET, then face the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday and the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. Curry is expected to miss all three, and the injury report will show who else is out.
Odds and projections are for information only. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ (21+ where required). These are game statistics, not settled bets.