San Antonio starts the week 1-2 after a 122-106 win in Dallas. Four games follow, beginning with Sacramento on Tuesday.
What does the schedule look like this week?
Four games in seven days. The Kings visit Tuesday, Oct. 27. The Spurs play at Utah on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Minnesota comes in Saturday, Oct. 31, and the Jazz make the return trip on Monday, Nov. 2. Three of the four are at home. The only road game is the second night of a back-to-back, and that is the one real logistical test.
Is Wednesday in Utah the dangerous night?
It is the tightest spot of the week: home Tuesday, road Wednesday, no cushion between. Utah is at 50 percent wins, so the game is winnable but not free. Sacramento has not won yet, which makes Tuesday the cleaner chance at a second straight win after Saturday's 122-106 in Dallas, where the Spurs took the fourth quarter 30-17.
Is Tobias Harris coming back?
The injury report lists Harris Out for the left calf, with Oct. 27 as the return date, the night the Kings visit. His status has flipped between day-to-day and out four times this week, so Tuesday's report is the one that counts. Jayden Quaintance, sidelined by the right knee, is listed for Dec. 3. No one else on the Spurs is on the report.
Which opponent matters most?
Minnesota. The Timberwolves are 2-0 and hold sixth place today. The Spurs are 11th, 1.5 games off that spot and 0.5 off tenth, where Phoenix sits at 1-1. Early on, a result against a team above you moves the table more than one against a team below. Saturday also follows a three-day gap after Utah, which gives the Spurs time to prepare.
Who is driving the offense going in?
Dylan Harper scored 18, 20 and 22 in the first three games. In Dallas, De'Aaron Fox had 19 points and nine assists, and Victor Wembanyama had 23 points with a plus-32 in 29 minutes. Stephon Castle added 19 and eight assists. The starting group is still being sorted: reports have floated a three-guard look without saying who starts.
When do the Spurs play next?
The Spurs host the Kings on Tuesday, Oct. 27, then play at Utah on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Will Tobias Harris play against the Kings?
He is listed Out for the left calf, with Oct. 27 as the return date. His status has changed several times this week, so Tuesday's injury report is the one to check.
