Spurs' rough opening stretch softened by several poorly timed injuries

The San Antonio Spurs are just days away from tipping off their 2024-25 NBA season, and fans are buzzing with anticipation. While Devin Vassell’s absence to start the season has been known for weeks, it’s a reality the Spurs have been preparing for. The team will need every ounce of their depth to navigate what’s shaping up to be a tough opening stretch.

The first eight games were already looking like a gauntlet, with matchups against the Dallas Mavericks, LA Clippers, and OKC Thunder, among others. While nobody roots for injuries, the reality is that the misfortunes of those teams lighten San Antonio's load just a bit.

The Mavs, Clippers and Thunder are missing key pieces

The Mavericks will be without guard Dante Exum for at least three months after he underwent wrist surgery. While Exum isn't a star, his absence weakens Dallas’ backcourt rotation, putting more pressure on Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to shoulder the playmaking and defense.

Meanwhile, in LA, the Clippers’ injury bug struck again, with Kawhi Leonard being ruled out indefinitely due to recurring knee issues.

Spurs fans know all too well how devastating Leonard can be when healthy, so missing him for an early-season game against the Clippers is a huge break for San Antonio. Without Kawhi, LA’s defense and overall versatility take a hit, making them a more manageable opponent.

Over in Oklahoma City, the Thunder are dealing with the loss of one of their newest additions, center Isaiah Hartenstein, who fractured his hand during a preseason game. He'll reportedly be sidelined for at least a month.

While OKC still has a dynamic team led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, missing a key piece like Hartenstein impacts their frontcourt depth, making life a little easier for Wembanyama and the Spurs' bigs.

Even though these injuries offer the Spurs some breathing room, there’s still plenty of work to be done. Wembanyama is shaking off preseason rust, and the rest of the team will need to step up until Vassell is back in the lineup. Fortunately, the young core has shown flashes of promise throughout the preseason, with players like Blake Wesley and Stephon Castle proving they’re ready to contribute.

The Spurs’ opening stretch is still no cakewalk, but with a few key players on opposing teams sidelined, it’s a little less daunting. If San Antonio can take advantage of these early opportunities, they’ll be in good shape once they’re at full strength.