The 2026-27 San Antonio Spurs unofficially kicked off their season on Sunday night as nearly 15,000 fans filled the Frost Bank Center for the annual Silver and Black open scrimmage, marking their first glimpse of the team since their NBA Finals appearance just over four months ago.
Here are three key points from the scrimmage:
Tobias Harris to miss preseason
The major update before the game even began was that Tobias Harris, the Spurs’ only offseason addition, will sit out the entire preseason due to a left calf strain sustained during training camp. Harris, who averaged 13.3 points and 5.1 rebounds with the Detroit Pistons last season, was expected to bring the size and versatility San Antonio lacked during their Finals run. Head Coach Mitch Johnson emphasized they won’t rush Harris back, stating there’s no need for concern but uncertainty remains if he’ll be ready for the season opener. In the meantime, Julian Champagnie is expected to step into the starting role.
Champagnie aiming to build on breakout season
Julian Champagnie earned a significant contract after a breakout year, establishing himself as a reliable perimeter shooter and a crucial part of the Spurs’ journey to the Finals. This scrimmage showed his growth as he hit a three-pointer off an elevator screen and effectively scored in transition. Notably, Champagnie diversified his game by driving to the basket instead of relying solely on long-range shots — an approach that could add a new dimension to the Spurs’ attack, which had been overly dependent on three-pointers during last season’s playoffs. Coaches Johnson and Donovan are expected to emphasize a more balanced inside-out strategy this year, which will be interesting to watch as the preseason starts on Thursday.
David Jones-Garcia returns
David Jones-Garcia, who underwent ankle surgery earlier this year following an injury with the Austin Spurs, was re-signed to a two-way contract over the summer. His comeback has been a long road, but his performance at Sunday’s scrimmage indicated he’s ready to contribute. Jones-Garcia was active from beyond the arc, driving to the paint, and keeping up his quick pace in transition plays. His ankle appeared solid, highlighted by a three-on-one breakaway with Wembanyama and Fox. As the preseason begins, he’ll aim to impress the coaching staff further and potentially continue improving on last year’s progress, making him an exciting player to watch in 2026-27.
Fan Take:
This news is significant for basketball fans because it highlights the Spurs’ strategic moves and player development ahead of another promising season, especially after their deep playoff run. With key players stepping up and new additions recovering, San Antonio could surprise many and impact the competition in the NBA next year.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
