The San Antonio Spurs improved to 9-4 on Sunday with a comfortable 123-110 win over the Sacramento Kings. Before the game, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson provided a positive injury update on rookie guard Dylan Harper, who has been sidelined since Nov. 2 with a left calf strain.
“It’s getting better and it’ll be good to have him back on the court ramping up here pretty soon,” Johnson said, via Tom Orsborn of San Antonio Express-News.
The report added that Harper is “progressing” and is no longer wearing a walking boot after sustaining a calf injury against the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 2.
When Harper first sustained a calf strain, there were genuine concerns about the severity of the injury. Some even speculated that it could be related to the Achilles tendon, given that it was a non-contact injury that caused him to leave the game in Phoenix. That’s precisely why ESPN’s Michael C. Wright felt the Spurs “dodged a bullet” when it was announced that Harper only sustained a grade 1 strain.
Spurs Lose Stephon Castle to Injury
While the news of Dylan Harper’s impending return bodes well for the Spurs, the franchise lost sophmore Stephon Castle to a hip injury in Sunday’s game.
Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year, played just 16 minutes in the first half before returning to the locker room. He did not return to the court after the break, with Julian Champagnie starting in his stead. Luckily for the Spurs, Castle’s absence did not hinder their ability to put away the Kings, an impressive feat since leading scorer and rebounder Victor Wembanyama also missed the game due to a calf injury.
Spurs Look to De’Aaron Fox
Amid the injuries to Castle, Harper and Wemby, the Spurs were led by veteran guard De’Aaron Fox, who posted 28 points and 11 assists in the 123-110 win. Fox has been very impressive since making his debut on Nov. 8, averaging 22.0 points, 6.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds, while shooting a career-high 51.2% fromt he field.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson praised Fox for quickly acclimating to the team, and embracing his role as Wemby’s sidekick.
“The level of engagement and commitment to want to be here, it’s very clear we have the face of our franchise and (Fox is) comfortable with that and everyone around him is,” Johnson said, via The Athletic’s Jared Weiss.
“I think for De’Aaron to be one of the faces of his franchise prior to joining our group and wanting to really be here and show that desire, it helps set the tone for everybody else. Because he has been someone who’s been in similar shoes, where he’s been the max guy and the big dog with his group.
“So it really empowers me (to) coach them hard and keep them accountable when you have some of the guys at the forefront with that type of mindset.”
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