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Dallas, T.X. — The San Antonio Spurs travel up Interstate 35 to Dallas to take on their in-state rival Dallas Mavericks to open the 2025-26 season.
Projected Starting Lineup Overview
Victor Wembanyama, F/C
Wembanyama enters his third season in San Antonio and looks to only grow to his true potential.
The Frenchman suffered a blood clot in his shoulder that sidelined him for the rest of last season, putting him out of the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Award races.
Despite having to sit out the rest of the season, he worked relentlessly to improve and prepare for this season. Most notably, he worked with Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon to perfect his post-moves and patent a hook shot that could wreck defenses.
He has achieved a 5×5 game twice in the last two seasons and could quite possibly record the first quadruple-double in NBA history. This seems more and more likely as tip-off nears, especially after growing an inch since last season.
In case you were curious, yes, Victor Wembanyama is back. And he might be better than ever.
Harrison Barnes, F
Barnes enters his 14th season in the league and looks to continue to be a key piece in a Spurs team that aspires for a ring this year.
The seasoned veteran averaged 12.3 points, 1.7 assists, and 3.8 rebounds last season in San Antonio.
While his numbers are down from his primetime, he still looks strong and could be instrumental in success this season.
Stephon Castle, G
The rookie phenom enters his second season with high expectations, especially after winning Rookie of the Year last season.
Castle averaged 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in his rookie campaign which was sufficient enough to help propel the Spurs to a 34-48 record.
His connection with Wembanyama has become instrumental in the play style for San Antonio and has allowed the young core of the Spurs to flourish.
Castle, like his 7’5″ counterpart in the post, has an eagerness for success and a drive to get a ring. This energy is what the Spurs have needed the last decade and will help them build up their chances for a playoff appearance.
Dylan Harper, G (R)
The Spurs have hit the jackpot with their last two top rookie picks. Both Castle and Wembanyama had highly productive rookie seasons which led to both men garnering the coveted Rookie of the Year award in back-to-back years.
San Antonio is looking to have the first ever back-to-back-to-back Rookie of the Years with the Harper joining the team.
Harper looked spectacular in his lone season at Rutgers, averaging 19.4 points, 4.0 assists, and 4.6 rebounds through 29 games played.
His success on the court will be vital while De’Aaron Fox is out with a hamstring injury, which could lead to quick development in the rook.
Bismack Biyombo, C
Biyombo enters his 15th season in the NBA and will finally appear in the starting center role for the Spurs after being a rotational piece last season.
The longtime vet averaged 5.1 points and 5.6 rebounds last season but his numbers will likely increase as he sees more minutes.
Coach Johnson trusting Biyombo in the five hole will allow the Spurs to play a taller line-up than they have seen in previous years under Gregg Popovich. His presence in the paint with create defensive opportunities for both him and Wemby.
The New El Jefe
The Gregg Popovich-era of coaching in San Antonio has concluded as Pop has stepped into President of Operations for the Spurs.
His successor? Mitch Johnson.
Johnson is entering his 10th season with the Spurs, having started as an assistant coach in 2016 with the Austin Spurs. The last six seasons have seen him as an assistant on Popovich’s staff.
Prior to joining the Spurs, Johnson spent one season as an assistant at the University of Portland after coaching in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. He played collegiately at Stanford as a starter alongside Brook Lopez, Robin Lopez, and Landry Fields. His professional career saw him play three seasons in the G League and overseas in Europe.
This is his first season as full-time head coach, filling shoes of the greatest coach of all-time in Popovich.
Flagg: Wemby “Something You Have Never Seen Before”
Ahead of his debut against the Spurs, Mavs rookie Cooper Flagg said he has already been warned about what is to come when facing Wembanyama.
“I have obviously seen tape. I have never seen him play in person,” Flagg told reporters Tuesday. “From what the guys have told me, he’s kind of something you have never seen before, and you can’t really understand that til you see it in person.”
Flagg has been touted as being the next face of the league alongside Wembanyama but will have to outplay the big man tonight that has done things no other stretch center has done before.
With this being one of the fiercest rivalries in the league, the Spurs don’t plan on giving Flagg a warm welcome, especially considering they have not been to the playoffs since 2018-19.
Despite Wemby praising Coop for his ability, no feelings will lost when the two No. 1 picks in their respective draft classes square off for the first time tonight.
Keys to the Game
- Run the offense through Wemby: The Spurs’ offense will run through the big fella, who has improved his post-up game. Dallas will have several options to defend him but his offensive evolution will allow him to take control of the game.
- Generate three-point shots: The Spurs need to capitalize on consistent perimeter shooting while Wembanyama is attracting majority of the defensive attention. Wembanyama created several wide-open threes in the preseason that allowed the Spurs to develop a rhythm outside the arc that is vital to tonight’s game.
- Dominate the paint: Despite the size disadvantage against the Mavs, the Spurs will be able to use Wemby and Biyombo to control the paint on the defensive front and force shots that might be heavily contested on the perimeter.
- Crash the boards: With Dereck Lively II, Anthony Davis, and Cooper Flagg taking over in the post, it is imperative that the Spurs crash the boards and rebound as often as possible. Doing so will create opportunities in transition and make it easier for the offense to operate smoothly.
Final Prediction
The Spurs success tonight relies on the shoulders of Wemby and Castle, especially in Fox’s absence. Both will have huge games tonight in contrast to last season’s opener and the Spurs will win.
Score: Spurs 114 – Mavericks 109
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