San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich initially said the NBA restart would be an opportunity for his team to learn and grow for the future.

However, the Spurs are within striking distance for a spot in the play-in series in the Western Conference, and Pop cannot help but feel excited for his team.

Popovich said earning a play-in spot would be “huge,” while also stating the team's performance in Orlando “says a lot about how this young group has come together.”

The Spurs defeated the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday to move just one game back of the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth seed in the West.

San Antonio could claim the ninth seed outright if the Portland Trail Blazers lose to the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night.

The Spurs dominated the Pelicans from the jump, racing out to a 17-point lead at the half and using a 41-point fourth quarter to close things out after New Orleans cut the deficit to just four at the end of the third canto.

Five players scored in double figures for the Spurs, led by DeMar DeRozan's 27 points. Jakob Poeltl scored just two points, but he controlled the glass and grabbed 14 rebounds. Drew Eubanks also stuffed the stat sheet, finishing the contest with eight points, 11 rebounds, two steals and a pair of blocks.

The Spurs might not have the star power possessed by some of their Western Conference foes, but they are one of the deepest and more diverse teams in Orlando.

San Antonio might still be playing next weekend, and Gregg Popovich is excited at the prospects of yet another playoff berth.