Hoops Nightly

By the Spurs Nightly Desk · Monday, October 12

The Spurs have lost both preseason games so far, including a 98-102 defeat in Phoenix on October 10, and visit Utah on October 12 looking for a better finish. Maliq Brown's injury scare passed within a day, while Fox's and Markkanen's availability remain the open questions heading into tip-off.

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Can the Spurs avoid a third straight preseason loss?

San Antonio has lost both exhibitions so far, 116-123 to the Hawks on October 8 and 98-102 in Phoenix on October 10. Utah finished 22-60 last season with a net rating of -8.2, the weakest team left on this preseason slate. Nothing about tonight affects the standings, but closing out exhibition minutes cleanly still matters for a group still settling its rotation.

Is Maliq Brown set to play again tonight?

Brown was sidelined with a back injury on October 11 before being cleared the same day. He'd just made his preseason debut against the Suns, giving San Antonio another low-minutes option off the bench. His clearance removes one name from an injury list that still includes Fox, Williams and Harris.

What does Utah lose with Markkanen out?

Lauri Markkanen, who averaged 26.7 points and 6.9 rebounds last season, is sidelined with a neck injury of his own. Kyle Filipowski and Brice Sensabaugh carry similar question marks. If all three sit, Jaren Jackson Jr., who scored 19.4 points a game last season, and Keyonte George, at 23.6, carry Utah's scoring load tonight.

Where do the Spurs need more balance?

In Phoenix, San Antonio's starters scored 57 points to the bench's 41, with Dylan Harper's 15 the only real push off a thin reserve group beyond Tarris Reed Jr.'s 10. Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie shot a combined 4-for-12. A tighter bench split is one of the clearer things to track tonight.

Does Fox's timeline point to tonight's game?

Fox has been out since October 8 with an issue the team hasn't specified, and the Spurs' own timeline lists today, October 12, as his return date. Nothing in the injury report confirms he will play against Utah, only that today is when San Antonio projected he could be back.

The verdictPreseason losses carry no weight on their own; what matters from tonight in Utah is a cleaner finish and clarity on Fox's and Markkanen's status before the trip swings back to Phoenix on October 14.

Where do the Spurs stand after two preseason games?

San Antonio is 0-0 in the regular season standings but has lost both exhibitions, 116-123 to the Hawks and 98-102 at Phoenix.

When does the regular season start for the Spurs?

San Antonio opens the regular season at home against Oklahoma City on October 20, broadcast on NBC and Peacock.