Spurs Blow Past Suns 123-103 to Even the Preseason Series

By the Spurs Nightly Desk · Wednesday, October 14

San Antonio beat Phoenix 123-103 in its third preseason game, answering an opening loss to the Suns on October 10 and splitting the two meetings. Stephon Castle and Carter Bryant each scored 8 points on efficient shooting, and the Spurs closed with a lineup built around two of their rookies.

Spurs Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

What decided this game?

San Antonio and Phoenix were even after one quarter, 23-22, with three lead changes and two ties. The Suns' largest lead was six points, the Spurs' three. From there San Antonio pulled away, turning a one-point game into a 20-point win by the final horn, 123-103.

Who was on the floor to close it out?

Mitch Johnson closed with Carter Bryant, De'Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. In the final scoring stretch, Fox and Bryant each added 3 points and Vassell 2, while Phoenix's closing group of Duop Reath, Haywood Highsmith, Jamaree Bouyea, Luke Kennard and Pat Spencer could not keep pace.

Which Spurs graded out best?

Castle: 8 points, 3 rebounds, 4-of-5 free throws and a team-best plus-6 in just 12 minutes. Bryant matched him with 8 points on 2-of-3 shooting from deep and two blocks in 7 minutes as a reserve. Fox added 6 points, 2 assists and a plus-2 in 13 minutes.

Why was Wembanyama so quiet?

Victor Wembanyama needed 8 shots to score 6 points, going 3-of-8 with 2 blocks, 2 assists and 2 turnovers in 12 minutes, finishing even in plus-minus. Dylan Harper also finished at zero in 11 minutes. Preseason minutes stayed capped for both, with the real workload still weeks away.

What does this result change?

Little in the standings — preseason games carry no playoff weight — but San Antonio evened its series with Phoenix at one win apiece after the October 10 loss. The same day, the Spurs waived R.J. Davis and signed Terry Taylor to a training camp contract. Next up: the Kings in two days, then the regular-season opener against the Thunder on October 20.

The verdictThis was preseason, but the stretch San Antonio played after a tied first quarter — efficient reserves, a steady closing five — is exactly the habit a team hopes carries into October 20.

Did the Spurs and Suns split their preseason meetings?

Yes. Phoenix won the first meeting 102-98 on October 10, and San Antonio won the rematch 123-103 on October 14.

What roster move did San Antonio make on game day?

The Spurs waived R.J. Davis and signed forward Terry Taylor to a training camp contract on October 14.