The San Antonio Spurs are kicking off their season against the Oklahoma City Thunder without their big free agent signing, Tobias Harris. It’s a tough break right out of the gate, with Harris sidelined due to a calf injury before he even gets to suit up for his new squad.
A Key Piece Already On The Shelf
Harris, who inked a two-year, $31 million deal with the Spurs, was clearly brought in to make an immediate impact. The guy is a 16-year veteran and has consistently been an effective scorer throughout his NBA career. You just don’t drop that kind of money on a player if you don’t expect him to be a major contributor from day one. He spent the last two seasons as a key complement to Cade Cunningham on the Detroit Pistons, where he put up solid numbers, averaging over 13 points and five rebounds per game with a respectable 35% clip from beyond the arc. Missing him for the opener, especially after that fresh contract, is a blow.
The Road Back For Harris And The Rest Of The Squad
So, when can fans expect to see Harris on the court? That’s the million-dollar question, and frankly, nobody has a solid answer right now. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson told The Athletic that Harris is “ramping up” and “progressing,” but he still needs “some more progressing on the court.” It sounds like it’s going to be a minute before we get a clearer timeline. The good news for the Spurs is that, outside of Harris, the team is looking pretty healthy. The only other player who’ll miss Tuesday’s game is rookie Jayden Quaintance, and he’s expected to be out until at least 2027. So, while Harris’s absence is a huge storyline, at least it’s not a full-blown injury bug hitting the whole roster.
The Spurs are heading into their season opener against the Thunder facing this unexpected hurdle right out of the gate. While the team is mostly healthy, the absence of a veteran like Harris, especially after a fresh $31 million deal, stings. Fans will be hanging on every update from Coach Johnson, hoping for a clearer timeline on when their new big signing can finally hit the court.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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