The San Antonio Spurs begin their 2026 preseason schedule against the Atlanta Hawks on October 8th, looking to build on a perfect end to their previous campaign. They closed the 2025-26 regular season on a five-game winning streak, capped by a 127-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors on April 2nd. This game marks the first public action for the Silver and Black since their NBA Finals loss to the New York Knicks.
Head coach Mitch Johnson has several lineup puzzles to solve before the real games start. The big talking point of training camp has been finding minutes for the three-guard group of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper. They shared the floor only occasionally last season, but all parties expect that to change. Their effectiveness against Atlanta's long perimeter defenders will be an early test.
Victor Wembanyama's offensive evolution is another focal point. The basketball world is eager to see if the fourth-year star has developed a signature, unstoppable scoring move. While a preseason opener might not reveal his full arsenal, any new tricks against the Hawks will be closely analyzed. His growth is central to the team's ceiling.
The team's injury report lists a few key absences. Jayden Quaintance is out with a knee issue, and veteran Tobias Harris is sidelined with a calf injury. David Jones-Garcia is questionable due to an ankle problem. Their availability for the regular season opener remains uncertain, so monitoring their recovery is important.
Atlanta also has several players nursing ailments. CJ McCollum, Aaron Wiggins, and Lu Dort all missed the Hawks' first preseason game and are questionable for this contest. Henri Veesaar is out with a knee injury, and Mouhamed Gueye is questionable with a foot issue. Expect both teams to manage minutes carefully.
San Antonio's form heading into the offseason was impeccable. Their five-game winning run to close the season included decisive victories. After beating the Phoenix Suns 101-100 on March 20th, they rolled past the Indiana Pacers 134-119. A 136-111 win over the Miami Heat on March 23rd was followed by a 127-95 rout of the Milwaukee Bucks. They then handled the Chicago Bulls 129-114 before the finale against Golden State.
That strong finish provided momentum, but preseason is a different beast. The Spurs have traditionally been cautious with starter minutes in these exhibitions. With real rotation questions this year, Johnson might use these games for more experimentation than in past seasons.
Preseason always offers a first look at new talent. First-round pick Tarris Reed Jr. is expected to see significant playing time. Reports from camp suggest he's already making his presence felt, particularly as a rebounder. Thursday's game offers his first real test against NBA competition.
Second-round selections Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Maliq Brown will likely see the floor more during garbage time. Their performance could influence decisions about the final roster spots and two-way contracts. Every minute is an audition for these young players trying to carve out a role.
The Hawks present an interesting first challenge. They're a team aiming to contend in the Eastern Conference, though they may rest key veterans. For the Spurs, it's less about the final score and more about establishing rhythm, testing combinations, and staying healthy. The answers they find over the next few weeks will shape their approach for the 2026-27 campaign ahead of a full [fixtures](/fixtures) schedule.
