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The River Walk Report · Morning

Harris Back to Out as Fox and Keldon Johnson Carry Tags Into Rockets Night

Harris is out again, Fox and Johnson are day-to-day, and Houston arrives one night before a trip to Dallas.

4 questions
By the Spurs Nightly Desk · Friday, October 23

Tobias Harris went from day-to-day back to out on Thursday with his calf, a day after his upgrade. De'Aaron Fox (right wrist) and Keldon Johnson (mouth) are day-to-day ahead of tonight's game against the 1-0 Rockets on Prime Video.

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Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Who is available against Houston tonight?

Harris is out, with a return estimated for Saturday, October 24, when the Spurs play at Dallas. Fox and Johnson are day-to-day; The Spot Up Shot's Paul Garcia listed Fox as questionable with a right wrist sprain and Johnson with a mouth laceration. Jayden Quaintance is out with a right knee injury and is not expected back before December 3.

What do the Rockets bring to this one?

Houston is 1-0 under Ime Udoka after a 52-30 season. Reed Sheppard (left knee) and Steven Adams (right calf) are day-to-day. Kevin Durant averaged 26.0 points last season and Alperen Sengun 20.4 with 6.2 assists. San Antonio has had two days of rest, Houston one, and the Rockets are on the road for the first time this season.

Which number matters most tonight?

Pace. Last season the Spurs played at 100.7 and the Rockets at 97.0, and Houston's 112.1 defensive rating came with that slower tempo. San Antonio scores best in transition. If the Rockets dictate a half-court game, the sputtering offense KENS 5's Jeff Garcia pointed to after the opener will be under pressure on every possession.

What happens in the backcourt if Fox sits?

Stephon Castle led the opener with 24 points and Dylan Harper added 18 against Oklahoma City. Without Fox, both handle more of the ball, with Jordan McLaughlin behind them. Air Alamo's Ty Small called Houston's defense the challenge Harper needs. Garcia also examined the three-guard lineup, and the starting group is still not settled.

The verdictA short-handed Spurs team has to play at its own tempo against a Rockets team that wants the game slow. How much Fox plays tonight also decides how much he has left for Dallas tomorrow.
Is De'Aaron Fox playing against the Rockets?

Fox is day-to-day with a right wrist injury and is expected back tonight. The Spot Up Shot listed him as questionable with a sprain.

When will Tobias Harris return for the Spurs?

Harris is out with a calf injury and is estimated to return October 24 at Dallas. He was moved from day-to-day back to out on October 22.

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.

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