Back at It: Spurs Now Back in Playoff Contention

San Antonio is now on a 6-game winning streak 

Just a few days ago, it appeared that the San Antonio Spurs were on a verge of missing the playoffs for the very first time in the Gregg Popovich era. That was right after the Spurs lost to the Houston Rockets.

That scenario in which the Spurs will miss the playoffs can now be put to rest- for now. After their recent 3-game losing streak where they dropped their games against the Rockets, the Golden State Warriors, and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Spurs have appeared to have re-discovered their winning ways as they are now on a 6-game winning streak. Their latest win? It wasn't easy either.

The Spurs played a Utah Jazz team who is also looking to solidify their playoff berth in the final stretch of the regular season.  Utah's super rookie, Donovan Mitchell forced an overtime period with a three-pointer only to watch the Spurs take a 124-120 win thanks to LaMarcus Aldridge's new career-high 45 points.

And they didn't have Kawhi Leonard just yet. And it's appearing that the Spurs don't need Kawhi Leonard anyway because they are doing just fine without him.

At 43-30, the Spurs are now in the 6th position which is way better than their placing a few games back. However, they are scheduled to play the Rockets and the Thunder in their final 9 games to finish the regular season. Plus, they will play against the New Orleans Pelicans in their final game of the season and that's a crucial game because right now, the Spurs and the Pelicans both own an identical record. Should the Spurs want a better ranking by the end of the regular season, it's imperative that they go on with their winning streak to avoid a first-round date with either the  Warriors or the Rockets.

Conclusion: Can the Spurs keep this up?

Possibly. 

As long as LaMarcus Aldridge keeps playing well. Aldridge has averaged 32 points and 9 rebounds during the Spurs' 6-game winning streak. With the Kawhi Leonard situation seems to be unresolved even after the players' only meeting, the Spurs might need to wait until the Klaw is truly ready to take out his claws. For now, San Antonio looks just fine.