The Spurs' First Game Look Arrives Thursday Against the Hawks

By the Spurs Nightly Desk · Wednesday, October 7

Nothing new broke overnight; the Spurs camp roster and injury list are unchanged from the day before. Attention turns to Thursday's preseason opener against the Hawks, the first game action for a core that has not played a minute together.

Spurs Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

What happened with the Spurs overnight?

Nothing. The camp roster has not changed since R.J. Davis signed on September 25, and the injury list is the same three names it's been this week: Tobias Harris, David Jones Garcia and Jayden Quaintance. With no roster moves or new reports in the last day, the story shifts to Thursday, when San Antonio finally takes the floor.

What matters about Thursday's opener against the Hawks?

It is the first game action for Victor Wembanyama, De'Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle as a group. None of last season's core has shared a court yet this fall, and Harris will not play. Mitch Johnson gets his first look at how Dylan Harper, Carter Bryant and the rest of the rookie class fit around them.

Does David Jones Garcia play in the opener?

He is listed Day-to-Day with a right ankle issue, and his estimated return date happens to land on Thursday, the same day as the preseason opener against Atlanta. Whether that means an actual season debut or just clearance to practice first is not yet known, and the Spurs have not said which.

What does the preseason schedule look like this week?

After Atlanta on Thursday, San Antonio plays at Phoenix on Saturday on ESPN2, then at Utah on Monday and hosts the Suns again the following Wednesday. That is four tune-ups before the regular-season opener on October 20 against Oklahoma City on NBC and Peacock, the first game that counts.

Is there a number worth watching this preseason?

8.4. That was San Antonio's net rating last season, second-best in the league, built on a top-three offense and defense that carried the team to its first Finals since 2014. Preseason box scores won't settle anything, but that is the bar this group is already chasing.

The verdictNothing changed overnight, and that's fine — the real test starts Thursday, when Wembanyama's group finally shares a court.

When do the Spurs play their first preseason game?

Thursday, October 8, at home against the Atlanta Hawks.

Is Tobias Harris playing in the preseason opener?

No. Harris remains out and is targeting San Antonio's October 20 regular-season opener against Oklahoma City.