It was an exciting preseason for the San Antonio Spurs. Things clicked with Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama, rookie Stephon Castle looked strong (literally) and younger players made progress. The preseason is not necessarily an indicator of long-term success, but it definitely increases the good mood in the team. After a great win against the Orlando Magic, the Spurs will look to continue the good times against the Utah Jazz.

October 12, 2024 | 7:00 p.m. CT

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Spore Injuries (UPDATED): Devin Vassell – Out (foot), Charles Bassey – Out (knee), Victor Wembanyama – Out (unknown), David Duke Jr. – Out (unknown), Nathan Mensah – Out (unknown)

Jazz injuries: Keyonte George – Questionable (Knee)

What you should pay attention to

Will Stephon Castle’s big pre-season continue?

I don’t want to overreact to the preseason, but the Spurs could have another rookie. Stephon Castle was great against Orlando, posting 17 points, 4 assists and 2 steals. He attacked the basket relentlessly and attempted ten free throws. He showed poise, grit and strength rarely seen in rookies, earning praise from his teammates and coaching staff. Aside from some turnover issues, it’s hard to find too many problems with Castle’s preseason. He will look to build on his strong debut against Utah.

Blake Wesley’s Improvement

Castle’s hot start was boosted by the improved play of Blake Wesley. The two are a defensive nightmare for opposing ballplayers, chasing them and causing chaos. We all knew what Wesley brought to the table as a defender. What was more surprising, however, was his offensive stance. He finished the game with 5 points, 5 assists and only one turnover, his only one of the preseason. While he doesn’t generate much offense himself, the third-year guard minimizes his mistakes and strengthens the team around him. That and his defensive skills could earn him a spot in the Spurs’ rotation. We’ll see if his improvement is a flash in the pan or a sign of a major change in his game.

Can Malaki Branham get back on track?

While Castle and Wesley are having a strong pre-season, Malaki Branham has struggled to make an impact. The third-year guard has been getting a lot of shots upfield, and not many of them are going in. Against the Magic, Branham had 11 points but shot 4-13 from the field. He keeps finding open shots from deep, but doesn’t manage to knock them down. When Branham isn’t scoring, it’s difficult to find other ways he can impact the game. Branham battles with Wesley and Castle for minutes as the Spurs look to solidify their rotation ahead of the regular season. He will look to hold his own against the Jazz while fighting for playing time.