In the 2024-25 season, only three teams had more back-to-backs than San Antonio. They had 16, which was tied with seven other teams for the second most, while the Hawks, Clippers, and Rockets had 17. The Silver and Black will only have 13 back-to-backs this season, and that should be music to the ears of Spurs Nation.
The [full NBA schedule has been released](https://x.com/AirAlamo/status/1956073569294704967), and we now know which teams will play when. Tickets have yet to go on sale, but they will tomorrow morning, Friday, August 15, at 10:00 AM, so go ahead and start planning with your friends and family. There are several reasons why having fewer games on consecutive days is beneficial, so let's discuss some of them.
Fewer back-to-backs helps players and fans
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82 games is a lot for the human body. Still, we want our players out on the floor as much as possible. Giving them an additional day to rest between games can help improve the chances that they remain healthy. Not only that, but it's just easier to manage a game plan when you have that extra time to take everything in.
The Spurs were 5-11 last season in their 16 back-to-backs. That were likely many reasons for that, but youth is one of them. When so many of your core players are young and still trying to figure out how to manage themselves on a game-to-game basis, it can be difficult when you have a quick turnaround.
That goes for a coach, too. It was Mitch Johnson's first year, and he was only holding the reins in an interim capacity. More games in a short period of time means less time to adjust, hold practices, and get your team back on the right track. If that's not something you're used to doing and you're just thrown into it, problems could arise when the team starts to struggle.
I think he's going to be ready to go this year. Better preparation and an understanding of what's required in those moments will help him immensely, but having fewer back-to-backs will too.
Fans will also have increased chances of seeing guys who get a little banged up. We know that the San Antonio Spurs are notoriously cautious with their players. If a guy gets nicked, he may sit out if the team is forced to play the following night, but if they have a day off to heal up, it will increase the chances that they'll be out there the next game. We all want that.
Other than January, when there will be five back-to-backs, and February, when they'll have three, the Spurs will have only one per month. [We can handle that.](https://airalamo.com/spurs-hoping-get-hosed-schedule-release-date-revealed)