Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox headlined September 28 media day coverage, one reflective, one about shot selection. Neither has taken the floor yet, and San Antonio's preseason opens October 8 against the Hawks.
What did Wembanyama say about the Finals loss?
Victor Wembanyama told ESPN's Michael C. Wright at media day that he still remembers the Finals defeat to the Knicks, and that he is 'very hopeful' for this season. The Athletic reported he described sleepless nights working through that loss. Both outlets covered it September 28, the same day San Antonio's veterans and rookies met the press before camp opens.
Is there a real concern with Fox's floater?
Air Alamo's Cal Durrett wrote that De'Aaron Fox's growing reliance on his floater is a troubling sign, pointing to last season's shot selection. It lines up with a steep late-season efficiency drop: Fox's true shooting fell 13.3 points over his final 10 games, to 42.7 percent. That number, not any single game, is the clearest efficiency flag heading into camp.
What's on the schedule before the regular season?
San Antonio plays four preseason games: October 8 against the Hawks, October 10 at Phoenix on ESPN2, October 12 at Utah, and October 14 against Phoenix again. The regular season begins October 20 against the Thunder, the team San Antonio eliminated in last season's conference finals, on NBC/Peacock.
Who's behind Wembanyama and Fox on the injury list?
David Jones Garcia is managing a right ankle issue and is targeted for October 1. Jayden Quaintance remains out with a right knee injury, not expected back until December. Neither is central to the rotation question, but both affect how deep Mitch Johnson can go in camp minutes.
What does Johnson's shooting slide add to the picture?
Keldon Johnson's true shooting also fell to 45.8 percent over his final 10 games last season, 13.4 points below his season mark. Paired with Fox's decline, it raises a real question about whether San Antonio's shot profile late last season was sustainable, or whether camp changes anything before the Thunder game October 20.
When does the Spurs' preseason begin?
San Antonio opens preseason October 8 against the Hawks, then plays at Phoenix, at Utah, and against Phoenix again before the regular season opener October 20 against the Thunder.
What did Wembanyama say about the Finals loss?
He told ESPN he still remembers the loss to the Knicks but is 'very hopeful' for this season, and The Athletic reported he described sleepless nights processing it.
More from The River Walk Report
all Spurs news →
From the archives · Mon, Sep 28From the Archives: What Spurs History Says About This Team's Next Step
Around the beat · Mon, Sep 28Around the Beat: Harper's Ceiling, Castle's Turnovers and a Roster Now Set
Morning · Mon, Sep 28What to Know Before the Spurs' Preseason Tips Off
By the numbers · Sun, Sep 27By the Numbers: What Last Season Still Tells Us About the Spurs
Rumor check · Sun, Sep 27Rumor Check: What's Confirmed in the Camp-Roster Churn, and What's Still Open
Morning · Sun, Sep 27Five Questions on the Spurs' Camp Roster Before Games Begin