The Spurs are off to an electric start to begin the 2025-26 season. Reloaded with Victor Wembanyama's improvements and a bolstered supporting cast, the Spurs are playing like a whole new squad. At 4-0, it is clear [things have shifted drastically in San Antonio.](https://airalamo.com/nba-new-power-rankings-waste-no-time-correcting-previous-spurs-mistake)
Through their success, the Spurs have compiled a fascinating list of statistics. While their league-leading net rating is the most eye-catching, one pair of stats has left us scratching our heads. As of October 29th, the Spurs are 2nd in fast break points yet 28th in pace.
Typically, a team's standing in these two stats is very similar, yet the Spurs are on opposite ends of the spectrum. How could this be?
The Spurs are heavily scoring off of defensive dominance
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In large part due to the demigod that is Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs' defense has been lights out. With additional contributions from Stephon Castle, Luke Kornet, and the rest of the squad, the unit has been shutting players down left and right. With this, the Spurs have created a load of extra opportunities for the offense. As they say, a great defense makes for a great offense.
While they have been superb at creating stops, they have racked up a chunk of turnovers and defensive rebounds. These floor-flipping plays have allowed the Spurs' elite transition players to get out on the fast break and do what they do best. This recipe has led the Spurs to be the 2nd-best fast-break offense.
The Spurs have been slow yet methodical in the half-court
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On the side, the Spurs have played as one of the slowest teams in the NBA. While this sounds confusing given their ability to run in transition, it makes sense when you watch the offense in the half-court.
Unlike other squads, the Spurs have a turtle-like set-up time in the half-court, and it is most definitely not a bad thing. For example, Wembanyama is a player who takes his time to find his shot in isolation and refuses to settle for bad looks. Further, playmakers Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are similar in the way that they tend to evaluate the entire court before making their next move.
This stat proves that the Spurs are one of the smartest offensive teams in the NBA and refuse to give in to anything less. The group will survey the court, look for scoring opportunities, and strike when the time is right. When you combine this with one of the best transition offenses in the NBA, you get a team that is first in the league in net rating.
The stats back it up; the Spurs are playing beautiful basketball right now. It isn't only Wembanyama stealing the show; everyone has gotten involved and is operating at a high level. While it's unlikely these stats will remain the same over the course of the season, this early preview of the Spurs shows they are ready to [leap over the top of the conference.](https://airalamo.com/spurs-incoming-jump-underrated-nba-gms-latest-poll)