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Spurs' elite depth gets them ahead of NBA's early-season injury bug

Their offseason moves are making even more sense now.
ByTy Small
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Apr 13, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Apr 13, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) reacts after scoring during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The start of the 2026-27 NBA season has been bittersweet. Sure, it's fun to have basketball back on TV, but the injury bug that's plaguing the league gives the opposite feeling. Several teams must figure out how to win without key players, but the San Antonio Spurs' depth gives them a cushion if one of their stars goes down.

Some of the Spurs' biggest rivals have been scratching important players from their rotation. The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace for some time, and the same goes for the Minnesota Timberwolves, as Anthony Edwards' knee problems will keep him sidelined over the next few months.

Who knows what happens next? Injuries are among the most unpredictable elements of any sport, but the Spurs did a great job this summer by building a roster that can survive a period of time without one of its stars.

The Spurs have already proven they can handle games without their top players

Early last season, Victor Wembanyama missed a set of games due to lower-body issues, leaving the Spurs to work without him for nearly a month. But they made it work, posting a winning record in his absence thanks to the play of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and others.

Even with higher stakes, this team found ways to survive while he was sidelined. One of their most iconic playoff wins of last season was a road victory against the Portland Trail Blazers. Wemby missed Game 2 of that series due to a concussion, so Castle and Harper stepped up, combining for 60 points to give the Spurs a 2-1 lead.

The Spurs have already proven they can compete when one of their top players isn't on the floor. They're in an even better position to do that this season, as they have even more depth. Tarris Reed Jr. has already shown some solid early flashes off the bench. Once Tobias Harris returns, he can help keep the offense flowing if Wemby, Fox, Harper, or Castle miss time.

The Spurs are equipped to deal with the wear and tear of the season

Injuries tend to pop up at the most unpredictable moments, and there are very few things you can do to avoid them beforehand. Of those few things, it's quite helpful for teams to make sure they're not placing an unhealthy load on one guy's shoulders and overworking him.

The Spurs have figured that out. Of course, Wemby is their best player and is extremely important to them on both sides of the ball, but he has a support system that can lift a burden off his shoulders. It's not on him to do everything; this team has options at each position who can make life easier and allow him to play a healthy brand of basketball.

We don't know what the future holds for this group, especially regarding health. But if there's any franchise that's well-equipped to deal with a massive injury that keeps one of their top players sidelined for a while, it's the Spurs.

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