The Spurs have a huge problem on their hands. Arguably their best player this year, defensive anchor and rapidly improving offensive threat Jakob Poeltl, has entered health and safety protocol and is expected to miss several games.
It’s hard to overstate how important Poeltl’s defense, passing, screening, and inside scoring have been for San Antonio to start the season. The 26-year-old center was having a career year in almost every statistical category and was instrumental on both ends, as he became a facilitator for a Spurs offense that relies on a lot of off-ball movement.
Instead of getting closer to being whole, as Doug McDermott gets ready to return, the young Spurs’ resilience will be tested once again by the absence of one of their key pieces.