Some of the best breakthroughs follow seemingly endless adversity. The San Antonio Spurs earnestly hope that this statement also applies to them, as they lost 118-113 to the Miami Heat on Sunday for their fifth-straight loss.

They flashed their ample promise most of the contest but once again faltered down the stretch, surrendering a fourth-quarter double-digit lead. It is another unpleasant lesson for the NBA's youngest team to learn. Rookie Victor Wembanyama is trusting the process and believes that he and the Spurs are still pushing towards their ultimate goal despite the disappointing results.

“Wemby agrees with {head coach Gregg Popovich} that the guys are getting better each game: ‘Doesn’t mean it’s easy…but we aren’t far away,'” Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News posted on X after the game.

Wembanyama recorded a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds to go along with seven assists, but he shot just 8-of-22 from the field and 2-of-9 from beyond the arc. The 19-year-old is shooting 38 percent during the Spurs' losing streak. His ups-and-downs perfectly mirror that of the entire squad.

Popovich has preached about the need for discipline when momentum starts to shift. San Antonio has been prone to defensive lapses and poor decision-making in the second half of games, resulting in a 3-7 overall record. With additional experience, those costly mistakes should decrease.

Victor Wembanyama headlines a talented group that includes Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan, among others. There is too much potential on this roster for change not to eventually come.

It just might not be around the corner. But after enduring four consecutive losing seasons, Spurs fans will wait a bit longer for everything to come together.