The San Antonio Spurs will have to open the season without one of their newest pieces. Tobias Harris will miss Opening Night against the Oklahoma City Thunder because of a left calf strain, leaving the Spurs short-handed for a Western Conference Finals rematch.
That absence matters because Harris was brought in to give San Antonio something different at power forward. After the Spurs’ loss to the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals, the front office stayed relatively quiet in free agency, but Harris stood out as a notable addition. He’s expected to start next to Victor Wembanyama in the frontcourt, and his scoring gives the group a cleaner, more versatile option on offense.
Harris brings a much broader offensive package than Julian Champagnie, who had a strong 2025-26 season but operated mostly as a spot-up 3-point threat. Harris can score at all three levels, and that kind of skill set should help create more room for teammates while easing some of the playmaking burden on Wembanyama.
For now, though, Spurs fans will have to wait before seeing that fit in action.
Mitch Johnson said about Harris' recovery timetable.
Without Harris, Johnson may have to get creative with the lineup. There have been rumblings that he could roll out De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle together, while using Devin Vassell as a very undersized power forward.
San Antonio also has other names it can turn to at the four, including Champagnie, Harrison Barnes and Carter Bryant.
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Aday Mara Faces A Brutal Thunder Test In Home Opener
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Maras last outing offered a glimpse of why Oklahoma City is interested in his development, but it also came with a reminder that opportunity can be fleeting. His minutes were limited, and there is no guarantee he gets the same kind of runway against Denver, where the Thunder may need to balance his growth against the realities of facing one of the leagues most demanding stars. [Read more 🡒]