Fox's Return Date Lines Up With the Trip to Utah

By the Spurs Nightly Desk · Sunday, October 11

Phoenix scored 35 points in the opening quarter and never let go, and the Spurs dropped to 0-2 in preseason play, 98-102. Dylan Harper and Victor Wembanyama carried the scoring, and the next test comes October 12 at Utah, right when De'Aaron Fox's listed return date falls.

Spurs Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

How did the Spurs lose this one?

Phoenix scored 35 points in the opening quarter, fueled by a 13-0 run, and led by as many as 15. San Antonio cut it to two points at its closest but never got over the top, falling 98-102 for a second straight preseason defeat.

Who stood out for San Antonio?

Dylan Harper led with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Victor Wembanyama added 13 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists, and Stephon Castle matched him with 13, 7 and 5. Off the bench, Maliq Brown and Tarris Reed Jr. were among the few Spurs to finish with a positive plus-minus.

What's the health update?

Maliq Brown, who logged 10 minutes against Phoenix, was fully cleared October 11 from the back injury that had kept him Day-To-Day. Fox and Malik Williams remain Day-To-Day with undisclosed issues, both carrying an estimated return of October 12. Tobias Harris's left calf points toward the October 20 opener, not before.

What's next on the schedule?

San Antonio is at the Jazz on October 12, then hosts a Suns rematch October 14 and the Kings October 16, closing preseason before the regular-season opener against the Thunder on October 20, broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

Will Fox actually play against the Jazz?

His estimated return date matches the Jazz game exactly, but the Day-To-Day tag and undisclosed issue leave it unconfirmed. Williams carries the same date and the same uncertainty, so Tuesday will answer more than it asks right now.

The verdictTwo preseason losses are not a crisis, but the opening-quarter defense in Phoenix is worth watching again Tuesday. The bigger marker is whether Fox and Williams actually suit up at Utah on their listed return date.

What was the final score of the Spurs-Suns preseason game?

Phoenix won 102-98 on October 10, San Antonio's second straight preseason loss.

When is De'Aaron Fox expected to return for the Spurs?

His estimated return date is October 12, the same day as the preseason game at Utah, though his status remains Day-To-Day.