The San Antonio Spurs provided fans a first glimpse of the 2026-27 roster Sunday night, hosting nearly 15,000 at the Frost Bank Center for the annual Silver and Black open scrimmage. The event marked the unofficial start to the season following the team's NBA Finals run four months ago, and the squad enters on a hot streak, having won their last five games including a 127-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors on April 2.
The biggest news came before the game even started. The Spurs announced that offseason acquisition Tobias Harris will miss the entire preseason with a left calf strain suffered in training camp. Head Coach Mitch Johnson said the team won't rush the veteran forward back. "It's a calf strain, the seriousness is what it is," Johnson said. "We won't rush him at all. I guess the question will be is he ready for the season opener?" Harris averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds last season for Detroit, bringing needed size and versatility. Julian Champagnie is expected to step into the starting lineup in his place.
Champagnie is coming off a breakout year and a new contract. He looked sharp in the scrimmage, hitting a three-pointer off an elevator screen and scoring in transition. He also showed a more aggressive approach by driving to the rim instead of settling for outside shots. That added dimension could be important for a Spurs team that sometimes relied too heavily on three-pointers during last season's playoff run. Assistant coach Billy Donovan called plays for Champagnie, and both he and Johnson are expected to emphasize a more balanced inside-out attack this season.
A welcome sight was the return of David Jones-Garcia. The guard underwent surgery for an ankle injury earlier in the year and re-signed on a two-way contract over the summer. He was active on both ends of the floor, pulling up for threes, driving into the paint, and getting out on the break. Jones-Garcia showed his quickness hasn't diminished, running the floor effectively with Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox. His health will be one to monitor as preseason games begin.
Harris's absence creates an immediate opportunity for players like Champagnie to solidify larger roles. It also tests the team's depth early. The Spurs' recent form suggests a confident group, having posted convincing wins like a 129-114 result against the Chicago Bulls on March 31 and a 127-95 blowout of the Milwaukee Bucks on March 28. Maintaining that momentum without a key new piece will be an early challenge for the coaching staff. The team's performance in recent games, including a 136-111 win over Miami and a 134-119 victory against Indiana, shows a potent offense that will need to adjust.
Johnson and his staff will use the preseason to experiment with lineups and rotations. Champagnie's expanded game and Jones-Garcia's return offer more flexibility on the wing. How the team integrates its offensive sets, particularly reducing the reliance on three-point shots, will be a focal point. Fans can track the team's preparation and upcoming matchups on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.
The Spurs' preseason schedule begins this Thursday. These exhibition games will be the first real test for the adjustments discussed and a chance for players to compete for minutes. Jones-Garcia will aim to prove he belongs, while Champagnie looks to build on his strong scrimmage showing. The primary concern remains Harris's recovery timeline for the regular season opener.
San Antonio's strong finish to last season, capped by that five-game winning run, has set high expectations. The open scrimmage served as a reminder of the talent on hand, but also highlighted the ever-present challenge of injuries in the NBA. How the team handles this early setback could define the opening weeks of their campaign.
