The Week Ahead: Kings Tonight, Then the Thunder Opener

By the Spurs Nightly Desk · Friday, October 16

The Spurs close out the preseason slate at home against the Kings tonight, four days before hosting the Thunder in the regular-season opener on NBC and Peacock. A back-to-back against the Rockets and at the Mavericks follows the next week, closing out the season's opening stretch.

Spurs Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

What's left before the regular season starts?

Tonight's game against the Kings closes the preseason. The real schedule starts October 20, when the Thunder visit for the regular-season opener on NBC and Peacock. Three days later the Rockets come to San Antonio on Prime Video, then the Spurs play at Dallas the next night — a back-to-back to close out the week.

Why is the Thunder game the one that matters?

Oklahoma City is the team San Antonio beat twice on the way to last season's Finals trip — in the NBA Cup semifinals and again in a seven-game Western Conference finals. The Thunder arrive for the opener on a national window, NBC and Peacock, making it the first measuring-stick game of the new season, not just the first game.

Could Champagnie, Kornet or Johnson play tonight?

Julian Champagnie, Luke Kornet and Keldon Johnson are all questionable with rest-related issues, each carrying an estimated return of October 16 — tonight. None has been ruled out for the Kings game, though none is confirmed to play either; a questionable tag only means a decision is close, not made.

Is Tobias Harris on track for opening night?

Tobias Harris carries a left calf issue and is questionable, with an estimated return date of October 20 — the same night the Thunder visit for the opener. That timeline, if it holds, would have him back for the game San Antonio has circled all preseason.

What about Jayden Quaintance?

Jayden Quaintance remains out with a right knee injury and an estimated return date of December 1. That ruling takes him out of every game in this stretch — tonight's preseason finale, the Thunder opener, and the back-to-back against the Rockets and at Dallas the following week.

The verdictThe preseason ends tonight; the season that matters starts in four days against the team the Spurs had to beat twice to reach last year's Finals.

When do the Spurs play their regular-season opener?

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

Is Tobias Harris expected to play in the opener?

His estimated return from a left calf issue is October 20, the date of the opener, though he remains questionable.

By the Spurs Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.