SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs are looking much improved over the last several games.
The team is staying competitive for 48 minutes, winning the third period in six straight games, and is establishing Victor Wembanyama early and keeping him the focal point on both ends of the court.
But there is something else about the Spurs' improved play that has been key: Minimal turnovers.
Before their match versus the Hawks on Monday afternoon, the Spurs recorded six straight games of fewer turnovers than their opponent. Also, the team is averaging just 11.4 turnovers per game in January. That is a season-low so far for San Antonio.
And Doug McDermott notes it is been because of how organized the team is offensively.
"We're more organized on offense. We're playing with a really good pace," he said. "When you are aggressive with your decisions, finding guys, getting in the paint I think it makes it easier to take care of the ball."
Just how much better the team has been at valuing the ball?
San Antonio recorded just five turnovers in a win versus Detroit on Jan. 10. They followed that up with just eight turnovers versus Chicago on Jan. 13.
It also helps the team that point guard Tre Jones is back in the starting unit.
Jones has been instrumental in the Spurs' recent positive strides. His floor leadership and keeping the team steady are a big reason the team is minimizing turnovers.
"Tre has been a huge addition to that lineup," said McDermott. "He's done a good job at keeping everything organized."
The point guard has started in five games after coming off the bench for the start of the new season and is making a huge impact.
According to Cleaning The Glass, Jones is in the 87th percentile of assist-to-usage (a metric focusing on how often a player gets an assist given how much they handle the ball) among NBA point guards. That's ahead of players such as Fred VanVleet, Tyus Jones, and Kyle Lowry.
Jones' smart, steady hand at passing the ball to teammates is having a positive ripple effect and more reason why the team is keeping turnovers low.
"I think guys are being super unselfish," McDermott added. "We're all just playing off that."
Follow us on X at @KENS5, and @JeffGSpursKENS5.