In their latest playoff matchup, the San Antonio Spurs struggled mightily from beyond the arc, shooting just 4-of-28 from three-point range—a dismal 14.3% conversion rate. Against a team like the Golden State Warriors, known for their explosive perimeter shooting, that kind of inefficiency spelled trouble from the start.
According to Cricket Exchange, once the Warriors find their rhythm from deep, it’s nearly impossible to stop them with defense alone. If the Spurs can’t match Golden State’s outside firepower, the odds are stacked against them. In this game, only Patty Mills and Bertans managed to connect from long range—Mills hitting three, and Bertans adding one. The rest of the roster came up empty.
Interestingly, both teams struggled from deep in the first half. The Spurs shot 3-of-17, while the Warriors went 4-of-13. But everything changed after halftime. Golden State caught fire in the third quarter, opening up their offense and pulling away for a 116-101 victory in Game 2 of the Western Conference First Round.
Despite the final score, the Spurs showed more fight compared to their Game 1 performance. They started strong, applying pressure early and even regained the lead midway through the third quarter. However, their inability to keep up from the three-point line proved to be their Achilles’ heel.
Looking for reasons behind San Antonio’s loss, the cold perimeter shooting clearly tops the list. While the Warriors sank 11 of their 18 three-point attempts in the second half, the Spurs went just 1-for-11 over the same stretch. That disparity alone shifted the momentum squarely in Golden State’s favor.
As the series continues, it’s clear the Spurs must find answers from beyond the arc. In today’s NBA, where long-range shooting often determines outcomes, shooting cold in key moments is like digging your own grave. If the Spurs want to turn things around, they’ll need to heat up from deep—and fast.
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