Spurs' Tobias Harris Out for Preseason With Calf Strain

Tobias Harris will miss the entire preseason after suffering a left calf strain during San Antonio Spurs training camp. Head Coach Mitch Johnson confirmed the injury, stating the team will not rush the veteran forward back and expressed no concern about its seriousness.

Harris missed the team's Silver & Black Open Scrimmage and will be re-evaluated after their five-game preseason slate. His availability for the regular season opener on October 20 against the Oklahoma City Thunder is officially listed as questionable.

Spurs open camp with strong turnout and early signs

The unofficial start to the 2026-27 season occurred on Sunday night with the Silver and Black open scrimmage. Nearly 15,000 fans attended the event at the Frost Bank Center.

With Harris sidelined, Julian Champagnie is expected to fill his shoes in the starting unit. David Jones-Garcia also returned to the court in the scrimmage, showing his quickness by running with Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox on a three-on-one rush. Jones-Garcia pulled up from three, drove the paint, and got out in transition. His ankle, which required surgery earlier in the year, appeared to be holding up well.

Champagnie and Jones-Garcia step into larger roles

Julian Champagnie earned a big payday after a breakout prior season where he became a threat from outside and a key cog in the young Spurs team's rise to the NBA Finals. During the scrimmage, he scored in transition and attacked the rim, driving inside instead of settling for three-pointers. This shift aligns with expected coaching changes, as the team was described as getting too three-happy during last season's postseason run. Assistant coach Billy Donovan drew up an elevator screen for Champagnie, who knocked down a triple from the top of the key.

David Jones-Garcia, re-signed to a two-way contract over the summer, will look to impress the coaching staff during the preseason. If he builds on his prior season and his ankle continues to improve, he could surprise everyone in the 2026-27 campaign.

Veteran presence and team chemistry highlighted

Despite his absence, Harris's new teammates were quick to praise his impact. De'Aaron Fox noted during Media Day that the first thing you don't realize is how big Harris is until you play against him. Fox said adding somebody like him is big for the team both offensively and defensively.

Keldon Johnson called Harris an amazing veteran whose presence has already been felt. Johnson said he is glad and blessed to have him as a teammate and to learn from him this season. Coach Mitch Johnson added that Harris's reputation precedes him as a human being and as a player.

Harris himself stated that whatever opportunity is presented, he will make the best of it. He acknowledged that team success is really about how personalities and egos match and joked that he has to catch on with some of the young jokes, but that it has been all good thus far.

Harris is officially listed as questionable for the regular season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 20 at the Frost Bank Center.