The San Antonio Spurs aim to rebound from a 119-109 preseason loss to the Utah Jazz on October 12th when they host the Phoenix Suns on October 14th. This is a quick rematch after the Suns edged the Spurs 102-98 in Phoenix just a few days prior, part of a preseason slate that began with a 123-116 loss to Atlanta. Head coach Mitch Johnson continues to experiment with rotations as the regular season approaches.
The primary focus is on integrating the new-look starting lineup. In their first preseason outing against Atlanta, the planned starting five of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Devin Vassell, and Victor Wembanyama didn't materialize due to Fox's late scratch. Johnson has indicated a desire to test a smaller, guard-heavy unit with Vassell playing power forward, a strategy made possible by Wembanyama's immense 7-foot-5 presence in the paint. Rebounding as a team will be vital against a physical Suns squad.
Injury reports add another layer. For the upcoming game, De'Aaron Fox is listed as questionable with soreness, joining Maliq Brown (back) and Malik Williams (undisclosed) in that category. Jayden Quaintance (knee) and Tobias Harris (calf) remain out. The Suns will be without Mark Williams (shoulder), with Miles Bridges questionable.
Bench production is under the microscope. Guards David Jones-Garcia and Ja'Kobi Gillespie made strong cases in the first game, scoring 14 and 8 points respectively. With three guards potentially starting, reliable depth is necessary to stagger minutes effectively. Consistent preseason performances could secure them roles during the long NBA regular season.
Second-year wing Carter Bryant also showed promising signs. He posted 11 points, 5 rebounds, a steal, and a block against Atlanta, displaying more aggression than his rookie year. Cutting down on his 4 turnovers is the next step. If Bryant develops into a reliable three-and-D option, he provides invaluable versatility alongside the Spurs' core.
Immediately, the focus is the home preseason rematch against the Phoenix Suns on October 14th. It's another chance to see the intended starting group and evaluate how the team adjusts from the 102-98 loss. Every minute is used to build chemistry and define roles before the games start to count.
The preseason results-losses to Atlanta, Phoenix, and Utah-highlight areas for growth but aren't indicative of regular-season potential. The real test is how the team learns from these experiments. Coach Johnson will use the final preseason contests to finalize his rotation, making decisions on backup guards and integrating returning players from injury. The full schedule ahead can be found on our schedule page.
