For six consecutive seasons, the San Antonio Spurs have missed out on the playoffs, a surprising downturn for a team that once made it to the postseason 22 years in a row. As a new season approaches, fans and analysts alike are wondering if the Spurs can finally rekindle the spark that once defined their franchise.

A knee injury to Luka Doncic while playing for Slovenia, speculation that Austin Reaves could exit Los Angeles, and fresh doubts about a postseason push headline the latest “Lakers Notes” from Sports Illustrated. Together, the bulletins underscore how thin the margin is between promise and peril for the purple and gold.