Spurs Media Day: Fox Injury, Grown Wemby, Scary Days Ahead

De’Aaron Fox confirmed he will miss the start of the regular season with a right hamstring strain. The injury occurred in July during offseason workouts in Las Vegas. The Spurs have downplayed its severity, but a target return date of November 1 was set, which means Fox will miss roughly five games.

The setback comes months after Fox signed a four-year, $229 million extension. He was acquired from Sacramento last season and appeared in just 17 games for San Antonio before surgery on his left pinkie ended his year. Fox still averaged 19.7 points and 6.8 assists in that span.

When combining his Kings and Spurs stints, Fox averaged 23.5 points and 6.3 assists while shooting 46.3% from the field. His absence to start this season will test the Spurs’ depth at guard, but the team will use the opportunity to assess No. 2 pick Dylan Harper and sophomore Stephon Castle. 

Wembanyama Grows and Raises Expectations

Victor Wembanyama stole the spotlight during Spurs’ media day when it was revealed he had grown an inch over the summer. The 21-year-old is now officially listed at 7-foot-4. More importantly, he has been fully cleared to play after his season was cut short last year by a blood clot.

Wembanyama insisted the Spurs’ defensive identity will set the tone. “This is a nonnegotiable. It’s not something you can’t do if you want to be a part of our team. We’re going to hold each other accountable. We know the coaches are going to hold us accountable, and it doesn’t matter your status, defense is a non-negotiable.”

He also singled out Luke Kornet’s importance to the frontcourt. “With Luke, it’s not even optimism; it’s necessity. Our combination of both of us, or whether he’s on the court or not, or if I’m on the court or not, we’ll need to have some of the best rim protection in the league for sure. The best.”

A Scary Defensive Core

The Spurs have constructed a lineup with size, versatility, and toughness. Jeremy Sochan and Castle both highlighted the unit’s potential. “Our potential defense is scary,” Castle said. Castle earned his reputation as a stopper at UConn and now projects to guard elite NBA guards. Rookie Carter Bryant adds a 6-foot-8 frame with a 7-foot wingspan as a 3-and-D wing. Kornet, meanwhile, finished in the 74th percentile in opponent points per possession last season.

The Spurs ranked 19th in defensive rating before the All-Star break last year but plummeted to 25th without Wembanyama anchoring the paint. With him back, along with new reinforcements, ESPN insiders predict Wembanyama will emerge as the frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year.

Eyes on Opening Night

The Spurs left media day with one clear message: San Antonio plans to defend at an elite level. With Wembanyama towering taller, Castle and Sochan eager, and Kornet offering needed rim support, the Spurs believe their defense can be scary. I project they will have a top-10 defense in the league.

Even with Fox sidelined at the start, the Spurs expect to be ready. Opening night will be the first step in proving whether this young, evolving roster is ready to back up its bold words.