Suns' Week Ahead: San Antonio Twice, Then Utah Before the…

By the Suns Nightly Desk · Friday, October 9

Phoenix's preseason slate turns into a Spurs double dose this week, a home game October 10 and a road rematch October 14, before Utah visits October 16 for the finale. San Antonio brings Victor Wembanyama and a 62-20 record from last season, while Phoenix is still searching for its first win after consecutive road losses to open the schedule.

Suns Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Spurs, twice in five days. Phoenix hosts San Antonio October 10 on ESPN2, then travels there October 14 for the rematch. The Suns get two full rest days beforehand; the Spurs arrive off one night of rest after playing just once in the past week.

Wembanyama is the test. San Antonio's calling card last season was Victor Wembanyama's 25.0 points, 11.5 boards and 3.1 assists across 64 games, part of a 118.7 offensive rating and 8.4 net rating that built a 62-20 record. That combination of size and shooting is the toughest matchup on this week's slate.

Jazz close the swing. After the home-and-home with San Antonio, Utah visits Phoenix October 16 for the last tune-up before the regular-season opener October 21 at Portland. Three games in one week will test the rotation Jordan Ott has been piecing together.

Who's unavailable. Mark Williams remains out with an injury to his left shoulder, with no firm return date given yet. Miles Bridges, who turned his right ankle last week, has an estimated return of October 10 — tonight's opener itself — making his status a game-time call.

Minutes shift without Bridges. When Bridges has sat, Dillon Brooks has logged 39 minutes a night and averaged 28.7 points over his last three outings, Oso Ighodaro's playing time has climbed 12 minutes a night, and Jalen Green has added 13 more minutes a night. All three workloads could rise again if Bridges sits tonight.

What the stars cost. Phoenix's payroll sits at $216.2 million, over the league's $200.4 million luxury-tax line. Devin Booker's $57.1 million, Jalen Green's $36.3 million, Bridges's $22.8 million, Dillon Brooks's $20.0 million and Bradley Beal's $19.4 million player option account for most of it — a bill the preseason win column hasn't yet justified.

Spurs have their own absences. San Antonio lists De'Aaron Fox and Tobias Harris as questionable, Maliq Brown and Malik Williams unspecified, and rookie big Jayden Quaintance sidelined by a right knee injury. A shorthanded Spurs lineup could open more minutes for Wembanyama and Stephon Castle.

On deck Phoenix closes the home-and-home with San Antonio on October 14, hosts Utah on October 16, then opens the regular season October 21 at Portland.

Is Miles Bridges playing against the Spurs on October 10?

Bridges has an estimated return of October 10 for his right ankle injury, so his availability for that game is a game-time call.

When do the Suns play the Spurs again after October 10?

Phoenix travels to San Antonio for the rematch on October 14, four days after the first meeting.