3 takeaways as three-guard lineup has ups and downs in Spurs' win over Suns

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson spent the better part of the summer and into the preseason wondering if three guards could be better than two in their starting lineup.

Wednesday, he finally got a chance to find out.

With De’Aaron Fox back from the hip ailment that kept him out of the team’s first three exhibition contests, the Spurs were able to unveil the three-guard starting lineup they aim to carry into the regular season.

The payoff – eventually – was a 123-103 shellacking of an undermanned Phoenix squad at the Frost Bank Center that handed the Spurs their first victory of the preseason.

Victor Wembanyama – remember him? – turned in his best performance of the preseason with 19 points and four blocks in 23 minutes.

Castle chipped in 18 points – with a whopping 14 coming from the foul line – while Harper and Fox scored nine apiece.

Devin Vassell – who remained in the starting five but slid to what is technically the power forward spot – added 12 points.

With six key players sidelined for Phoenix, including All-Star guard Devin Booker, the game offered the Spurs a welcome opportunity to sharpen their rotation against limited resistance.

Ryan Dunn and former Spurs G Leaguer Jamaree Bouyea led the Suns with 15 points apiece.

The Spurs are set to finish their preseason slate Friday at home against Sacramento, a final tune-up before the regular season opens Tuesday against the archrival Oklahoma City Thunder.

Here are three takeaways from Wednesday’s victory:

1. Slow start, strong finish for Fox-Castle-Harper lineup

The first look at the Spurs’ three-guard starting lineup did not exactly inspire confidence.

With 6:57 remaining in the first quarter, Johnson made his first substitution, sending Carter Bryant in for Fox.

By then, the starting five had combined to shoot 1 of 10 from the field for a grand total of 3 points.

Mitch Johnson on the Fox-Castle-Harper lineup: “First time that group’s played together. It’s been a very stop-and-go preseason in terms of lineups, so we’re just trying to get into a little bit of a rhythm. Some positive reinforcement to show them and some learning and a long way to go in other areas.”

– Spurs Nation (@Spurs_Nation) October 15, 2026

“It’s the first time that group’s played together, it’s been a very stop-and-go preseason in terms of lineups,” Johnson said. “So we’re just trying to get into a little bit of a rhythm.”

They eventually found one.

During their first eight minutes on the floor together, Fox, Harper and Castle posted a minus-1 net rating. Over the final three minutes of the first half, they helped fuel a stretch in which the Spurs outscored Phoenix by 11.

By halftime, the early hiccups were a distant memory. Fox, Harper and Castle had combined for 19 points, and the Spurs had built a 60-49 lead.

Playing under a minutes restriction in his preseason debut, Fox sat out the second half, ending the trio’s time together – at least for the night.

The three-guard experiment remains a work in progress. Nobody in the Spurs’ locker room expects otherwise.

“We knew there was a chance that we’d all be starting or at least sharing the court a lot more together,” Fox said. “I think we’re all excited for it.”

There is no shortcut to building chemistry. The trio needs reps, and Friday’s preseason finale should provide another opportunity to get them.

2. Rebounding holds up

Before the game, Mitch Johnson revealed his greatest concern with his newest starting lineup.

Rebounding.

The Spurs alleviated that worry Wednesday, dominating the glass against a depleted Phoenix team that often found itself at a size disadvantage. San Antonio won the rebounding battle 50-36 and pulled down 12 offensive boards.

Rookie center Tarris Reed Jr. led the team with 10 rebounds off the bench, because of course he did. Beyond Reed, Vassell grabbed six boards, Harper had six and Bryant added five.

Victor Wembanyama on the 3-guard lineup: “It felt like we were trying to do the right things at the beginning but we scored so few points. But when it clicked, it really clicked.” https://t.co/zu5fvLGb5t

– Spurs Nation (@Spurs_Nation) October 15, 2026

Even the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama chipped in four.

It was an encouraging start, but the Spurs will need to bring more muscle to the glass against the bigger, more physical frontcourts they’ll encounter during the regular season.

Wednesday’s victory offered a promising glimpse, not a definitive answer.

3. Bryant makes minutes count

With three key reserves – Julian Champagnie, Luke Kornet and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson – held out for rest, the Spurs had plenty of minutes to distribute Wednesday.

Bryant made a strong case for claiming more of them.

The second-year pro flashed a more polished jump shot, connecting on four of seven attempts, all from 3-point range. He chipped in on the boards and brought plenty of energy on defense.

One early sequence helped set the tone for Bryant’s night, when he blocked Jordan Goodwin twice on the same possession.

CB x2!! 🚫🚫 📺 DAZN, CWSA https://t.co/uah1U6rV13

– San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) October 15, 2026

The second of those rejections sparked a fast break, which ended with Bryant getting fouled at the rim and making a pair of free throws.

“When I’m in the game, I’m trying to be a ceiling riser,” Bryant said. “We’re a damn good team with me off the floor, but how can I make this group better when I’m on the floor? How can I be important? How can I be valuable on the defensive end?”

Wednesday, Bryant provided himself – and the Spurs – with a pretty good answer in that regard.

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This article originally published at 3 takeaways as three-guard lineup has ups and downs in Spurs’ win over Suns.