Spurs Debut Three-Guard Lineup in Preseason Win Over Suns

San Antonio finally fielded the backcourt configuration head coach Mitch Johnson has spent months evaluating, deploying De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper together as starters Wednesday to dismantle an undermanned Phoenix Suns roster 123-103 at Frost Bank Center.

The victory secured San Antonio’s first preseason win and offered the initial competitive look at a three-guard alignment designed to maximize pace and perimeter creation around Victor Wembanyama. Fox returned after missing the first three exhibition games with a hip ailment, though his availability was managed carefully. He played only the first half under a minutes restriction, joining Harper for nine points apiece before sitting out the final two quarters.

Running three primary ball-handlers simultaneously represents a distinct tactical shift for the Spurs. Historically, NBA teams leaning into triple-guard lineups sacrifice size on the glass and struggle against physical wings. Johnson identified rebounding as his primary concern entering the night, yet San Antonio dominated that phase anyway, outrebounding Phoenix 50-36 while securing 12 offensive boards. Rookie center Tarris Reed Jr. anchored that effort off the bench with 10 rebounds, while Devin Vassell and Harper collected six each.

Vassell remained in the starting five but operated as a nominal power forward, a positional slide reflecting the modern NBA’s increasing reliance on versatile wings who can defend multiple spots rather than traditional frontcourt anchors. He finished with 12 points. Wembanyama delivered his most efficient preseason showing, recording 19 points and four blocks across just 23 minutes of action.

The new backcourt trio required time to locate its rhythm. During their opening eight minutes together, Fox, Castle and Harper generated a minus-1 net rating while combining to shoot 1-of-10 from the field. Johnson intervened less than seven minutes into the first quarter, substituting Carter Bryant for Fox to stabilize the rotation. The adjustment worked. San Antonio closed the first half on a decisive run, outscoring Phoenix by 11 over the final three minutes of the second quarter to build a 60-49 halftime advantage.

Castle exploited the defensive seams created by the spacing, finishing with 18 points. Fourteen of those came from the free-throw line, underscoring his aggressive downhill driving style when paired with elite perimeter shooters who pull defenders away from the paint.

Phoenix provided limited resistance. The Suns rested six key rotation players, including All-Star guard Devin Booker, leaving Ryan Dunn and former Spurs G League affiliate Jamaree Bouyea to lead the scoring effort with 15 points each.

Bryant capitalized heavily on the expanded opportunity. With Julian Champagnie, Luke Kornet and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson held out for rest, the second-year forward connected on 4-of-7 shooting exclusively from beyond the arc. His defensive activity proved equally disruptive, highlighted by a sequence where he blocked Jordan Goodwin twice on a single possession, converting the second rejection into a fast-break trip to the foul line.

The Spurs close their exhibition schedule Friday against Sacramento. That matchup serves as the final evaluation window before San Antonio opens the regular season Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, reigniting one of the league’s oldest rivalries.