The San Antonio Spurs showed why they are considered NBA Finals favorites in their first preseason game against the Atlanta Hawks. Despite being down 123-116 in the game, San Antonio’s first half run was filled with explosive offense.
Now the spurs will bring to Phoenix with the scrappy suns, who are looking to win the first race. It may be the first time we see San Antonio’s full starting lineup featuring De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper all playing together. Mitch Johnson told those three guards, Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama to start the first preseason game, before managing Fox in a recent game.
Advertisement
Whether the full starters play or not, game two of the preseason will give the Spurs another chance to experiment with their lineups and see how this group fares.
October 10th, 2026 | 9 PM CT
Watch: DAZN/ESPN2 | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
On the spurs of Injuries: Jayden Quaintance – Out (knee), Tobias Harris – Out (calf), Maliq Brown – Questionable (back), De’Aaron Fox – Questionable (soreness), Malik Williams – Questionable (sprain)
sun injuries; Mark Williams – Out (shoulder) Miley Bridge – Questionable (ankle)
What to observe;
Small ball starting five
The Spurs were said to start with fewer groups, with Vassell effectively playing four. That becomes a lot easier when you have a 7-footer in the middle of the floor. San Antonio did a pretty good job of rebounding around Wembanyama in the first preseason game. Saturday’s matchup will provide an even greater challenge, as the lines will be smaller and the Suns are a more physical team.
Advertisement
Rear guards
David Jones-Garcia and Ja’Kobi Gillespie had huge games in the first preseason contest, picking up fourteen and eight points off the bench. San Antonio needs defensive depth if they are going to start three of them and plan to stagger their minutes. Jones-Garcia and Gillespie will have a legitimate chance to earn canine minutes in the regular season. Stronger plays in the preseason could earn them bigger roles as the season progresses.
Carter Bryant
The Spurs looked confident in the sophomore wing in the first preseason game. He had 11 points on 3-for-8 shooting with 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, and 4 turnovers. He also needs himself to be a little more patient, but it’s a welcome boldness after a year of some of his timid plays. If Bryant makes a big leap in year two, the Spurs could have another versatile three-and-D player to go along with their three guards and plug Wembanyama. Watch to see if he can continue to improve in the second game of the preseason game.