The Rundown: Players Out for Opening Night, Questions for Reserves in Frontcourt

The Spurs’ Opening Night Lineup and Key Injuries

The San Antonio Spurs are set to face the Dallas Mavericks on opening night with a lineup that includes several notable injuries. De’Aaron Fox, Jeremy Sochan, Lindy Waters III, and Kelly Olynyk will be missing for the Spurs due to various reasons, including injuries and recovery from surgery.

Key Players Out

The San Antonio Spurs have been hit with a few key absences. De’Aaron Fox is out due to a hamstring issue, while Jeremy Sochan is sidelined with a wrist injury. Lindy Waters III has undergone an eye procedure, and Kelly Olynyk continues his recovery from heel surgery that kept him off the court for much of the preseason.

Questions for Reserve Players in the Frontcourt

The San Antonio Spurs have several questions hanging over their bench players as they prepare for the 2025-26 NBA season, particularly with regard to the frontcourt. Three key players—Luke Kornet, Jeremy Sochan, and Kelly Olynyk—are expected to play significant roles off the bench but face challenges in proving themselves.

Performance Expectations for Luke Kornet

Luke Kornet is set to be both a backup center and a key player alongside Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs are looking for Kornet to contribute significantly, starting with scoring six or more points per game. In the preseason, he averaged 12.6 points off the bench, which could double his previous season’s average.

Another goal is for Kornet to corral three or more offensive rebounds per game.

He showed promise in this area during the preseason and should have ample opportunities with Wembanyama often rolling to the rim. The question of whether he can average one or more blocks per game remains, given his experience as a defensive anchor.

Defensively, Kornet is expected to help improve the Spurs’ defense, aiming for a 60th percentile finish in cleaning the glass when Wembanyama is off the floor. The success of this lineup will be crucial early in the season and could determine its longevity.

Offensive and Defensive Expectations for Jeremy Sochan

Jeremy Sochan’s role on the Spurs’ bench includes improving his outside shooting, aiming for a 33% shooting percentage from three-point range. He will also be expected to secure over two offensive rebounds per game, which is crucial with Kornet and potentially Wembanyama competing for these opportunities.

Sochan’s potential for Defensive Player of the Month nominations is another key question. His defensive skills are well-known, but coming off the bench makes this a challenging task. Additionally, there’s speculation on whether he will start games or remain as a rotation player.

Kelly Olynyk’s Role and Performance Expectations

Kelly Olynyk is expected to contribute from beyond the arc, aiming for at least 37.1% accuracy, which matches his career average. He is also projected to average over 2.5 assists per game, a number that aligns with his career stats.

Another critical question revolves around Olynyk’s role in the lineup, whether he will play more alongside Kornet or Wembanyama, and how long he can remain on the roster after the trade deadline if he doesn’t show significant improvement.

Conclusion

The San Antonio Spurs’ opening night lineup is significantly impacted by key injuries, leaving questions for their bench players in the frontcourt. Luke Kornet, Jeremy Sochan, and Kelly Olynyk are expected to play pivotal roles but face specific challenges that will determine their success early in the season. The performance of these players could shape the Spurs’ defensive strategy and overall team dynamics as they navigate this challenging start.