The San Antonio Spurs closed their preseason schedule with a convincing 123-103 win over the Phoenix Suns on October 14, 2026. With the regular season looming, the exhibition slate offered key insights into the team's emerging talent and areas for growth.
Carter Bryant's development has been a major positive. He's playing with a calmer, more controlled demeanor on both ends of the floor. His defensive positioning is better and he's contesting shots without fouling as much. Most notably, his shooting confidence has skyrocketed. Bryant went 6-for-12 from three-point range across the preseason games, showing a willingness to let it fly that was missing last year.
Rookie big man Tarris Reed has forced his way into the conversation for rotation minutes. He's looked remarkably NBA-ready, displaying a polished game that suggests he can contribute immediately. While Victor Wembanyama's unique talent stands apart, Reed's preseason play has been the most impressive from a Spurs rookie in years. His performance bolsters a frontcourt that needed youthful energy.
It's important not to overreact to preseason trends, but some issues popped up. The Spurs blew several double-digit leads during their exhibitions, including in a 116-123 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on October 8 and a 102-98 defeat to the Suns on October 10. While the starters played limited minutes and looked rusty at times, protecting leads will be something to monitor when the games count.
The forward rotation remains a work in progress. Veterans like Harrison Barnes and Tobias Harris are reliable but aging. Bryant's emergence is encouraging, but he still needs to prove he can hit open shots consistently to force defenses to respect him. Teams are still leaving him open, and he must make them pay to secure a larger role.
The Spurs wrap up their preseason at home against the Sacramento Kings on October 16, 2026. After that, the focus shifts entirely to the regular season opener. The preseason provided a mixed bag of results: a 119-109 loss to the Utah Jazz on October 12, the two close losses to Phoenix and Atlanta, and the strong finish against the Suns.
Coach Gregg Popovich now has decisions to make about his rotation. Reed's play makes a compelling case for minutes behind Wembanyama. Bryant has shown he can be a genuine option at forward. How these pieces fit alongside established stars will define the early part of the season. Fans can track the team's progress and view the full upcoming schedule on our schedule page.
The preseason wasn't about wins and losses. It was about evaluation. And from that standpoint, the Spurs uncovered some promising answers.
