The Spurs have a shot at winning the NBA's in-season tournament tonight as energy around the team is building with the return of star player Victor Wembanyama.

Why it matters: The Spurs haven't made it to the playoffs since 2019, but fans feel like their team is finally turning things around.

Driving the news: The Spurs play the New York Knicks at 7:30pm tonight in Las Vegas in the NBA Cup Final.

• The game will stream on Amazon Prime for the first time.

Catch up quick: The Spurs triumphed 111-109 over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday in a nail-biter semifinal.

• It was the first game back for Wembanyama, who was out 12 games due to a left calf strain. He gave the team — and fans — a much-needed boost.
• It was only the Thunder's second loss this season.

How it works: The league introduced the NBA Cup in 2023 to increase viewership and intrigue in the middle of the season.

• The game doesn't count toward the actual NBA championship.

By the numbers: Each player on the winning team will get about $530,000, per The Athletic.

• Keldon Johnson is reportedly eyeing the prize money to buy a llama for his ranch outside San Antonio.
• Wembanyama isn't sure what he'd do with it, because "Poor Vic needs more money, right?" he said.

State of play: The 18-7 Spurs are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for fourth in the Western Conference.

What's next: The team will host a free watch party at The Rock at La Cantera at 7pm today.

• Expect music from DJ Quake and an appearance from the Spurs Hype Squad.
• There will also be a raffle for autographed Spurs merch, and free drink tickets while supplies last.

Plus: In true San Antonio style, icehouses like The Friendly Spot, River North and Brooster's Backyard are all hosting watch parties.

• Your neighborhood bar probably is too.

The bottom line: The Spurs spirit is revving up again in San Antonio. Expect a new energy around town this week — win or lose.

A pair of French American hoteliers is turning forgotten properties into unique stays for weekend escapes in the Hill Country.

Why it matters: Franklin Dusserre and Dylan Petrich, owners and operators of Texas-based French Cowboys Hospitality, want to carve out a middle lane between budget hotels and luxury resorts, and their strategy is to renovate neglected properties within two hours from a major city.

Case in point: In 2023, the pair purchased and renovated the Gruene Outpost River Lodge in New Braunfels before reopening it as Hacienda del Rio this summer.

• Rates start around $95, depending on the night. Amenities range from billiards and canoeing to cocktails at the bar and a dip in the pool.

We chatted with Dusserre.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

1. How do you identify a place with the potential to become a destination?

"We're drawn to places with natural beauty, a compelling history and a strong local community: the kinds of towns where you feel at home the moment you arrive. All of our properties sit directly on rivers, creeks or lakes, so access to nature is non-negotiable."

2. Where do you see the hottest short-trip destinations emerging in 2026?

"New Braunfels and Gruene seem uniquely well set-up for continued growth because they're one of the rare Texas markets with true year-round demand: tubing, river activities and Schlitterbahn in the summer, major events like Wurstfest and the Christmas Market in the fall, and steady traffic to Gruene Hall all year long."

Keep reading

⚖️ A federal appeals court sided with the city in a lawsuit brought by members of the Native American Church that sought to stop the city from removing trees at Brackenridge Park.

• The ruling affirms an earlier decision that allows the city to move forward with its long-delayed bond project there. (Express-News 🔑)

🪪 The Texas Department of Public Safety has created a list of more than 100 people who tried to update the sex on their drivers license. It's unclear what the state is doing with the information. (KUT)

😋 La Panadería will open its Stone Oak location, its largest yet, tomorrow. There will be UT San Antonio cheerleaders and a new bakery mascot. (KSAT)

The "most wonderful time of the year" can also be the most stressful time of the year. And we're not the only ones feeling anxious.

The big picture: With disrupted schedules, out of town guests and extra travel, our pets can pick up on the added stress of the holidays.

State of play: Lovet Pet Health Care instructs pet owners to look out for these signs of stress:

• Shivering, trembling or shaking off
• Excessive barking, whimpering and whining
• Hiding

Zoom in: Here are some tips to help your best bud with seasonal stress.

• Stick to a routine. It's hard to feed them at the same time each day when you have office holiday parties or your once-a-year meet-up with friends, but do your best.
• Create a safe space. Maybe it's a crate covered with a blanket, a closet, or a room with few windows where they can retreat.
• Make time for them alone. Just like the humans in our life, pets need our time and attention.