The San Antonio Spurs will still be shorthanded for their road preseason matchup against the Miami Heat on Wednesday evening
The San Antonio Spurs will be short-handed in their first preseason game against another NBA team on Wednesday, though their injury list is gradually improving.
In Monday’s matchup against the Guangzhou Loong Lions, the Spurs were without De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Jordan McLaughlin, and Kelly Olynyk.
Victor Wembanyama returned to action for the first time since NBA All-Star Weekend, recording nine points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks in just 16 minutes. Meanwhile, Devin Vassell, who was a healthy scratch in Game 1, is now available to play against the Miami Heat.
“It feels great,” Vassell said. “There’s a different energy here, a lot of expectations. I’m just ready for everyone to be healthy and to get this thing going.”
Spurs at Heat: Final Injury Report
Kelly Olynyk, still recovering from offseason heel surgery, will be out for San Antonio’s game against the Miami Heat.
De’Aaron Fox remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, expected to keep him out beyond the Spurs’ regular-season opener against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 22. Stephon Castle, who suffered a bruised knee in last week’s Silver & Black scrimmage, and Dylan Harper, still rehabbing a partially torn ligament in his left thumb, are also out.
Castle, however, received an optimistic update from Spurs coach Mitch Johnson.
“He’s feeling better, which is positive,” Johnson said. “We’ll see how it continues to heal. I don’t think it’s anything long-term — we just need to get him right.”
Jeremy Sochan is dealing with a left calf injury sustained during the offseason. Coach Mitch Johnson reported that Sochan is back on the court and improving, but he did not participate in the team’s scrimmage or the game against the Loong Lions and is expected to miss Wednesday’s matchup.
Jordan McLaughlin, who also sat out both of those games, currently has no new injury designation. Johnson emphasized a conservative approach for all players as they continue their recoveries.
“We’re missing a few players, but we’ve been pushing them hard in the first week of camp,” the coach said. “A few bumps and bruises are part of that process.”
“We’d rather take our time than rush anyone back,” he added.
Tipoff between the Miami Heat (0-2) and San Antonio Spurs (1-0) is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST at Kaseya Center.
No Comment! Be the first one.