san antonio tx, October 20, 2025
News Summary
The San Antonio Spurs have finalized their 18-man roster just days ahead of the season opener against the Dallas Mavericks, amidst significant injury concerns. Players Adam Flagler, Micah Potter, and Stanley Umude were waived, leaving the roster with 15 guaranteed contracts and three two-way players. De’Aaron Fox, Jeremy Sochan, and Lindy Waters III are expected to miss the opener due to injuries, prompting adjustments in game strategy. The Spurs aim to break their losing streak in season openers, having struggled to secure wins in recent years.
San Antonio — Spurs finalize 18-man roster ahead of season opener but will be without key players
The San Antonio Spurs set their 18-man roster three days before their regular-season opener. The move was completed on Saturday, Oct. 20, when several players were waived and the club confirmed its final group ahead of the Oct. 22 season opener against the Dallas Mavericks.
Key developments
Adam Flagler, Micah Potter, and Stanley Umude were waived on Saturday, Oct. 20, before the league’s deadline. The final roster consists of 15 guaranteed contracts and three two-way players: Riley Minix, David Jones-Garcia, and Harrison Ingram. The roster announcement came amid multiple injury-related absences for the opener.
De’Aaron Fox, Jeremy Sochan, and Lindy Waters III are expected to be OUT for the season opener against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 22. Lindy Waters III was downgraded to OUT due to an “eye issue” identified during his preseason physical, requiring a procedure with a target return after Oct. 31. Jeremy Sochan suffered a mild wrist sprain at practice and will miss the opening game. De’Aaron Fox sustained a hamstring injury in the offseason, requiring extensive rehabilitation but no surgery.
How the team will respond
With those absences, Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson is adjusting rotations and game plans to compensate. Kelly Olynyk is expected to be AVAILABLE for the opener and may replace the injured players in the lineup. Other players like Julian Champagnie, Carter Bryant, and Bismack Biyombo may also benefit from increased minutes due to the injuries.
Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle shared facilitation responsibilities while awaiting the return of Fox. The coaching staff emphasizes the need for players to execute set expectations despite health challenges and will lean on younger rotation pieces and two-way call-ups early in the season.
Preseason and context
The Spurs went undefeated in five preseason games, bolstered by Victor Wembanyama’s return after a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis. Julian Champagnie excelled in three-point shooting during preseason, giving the team an added perimeter threat. The Spurs’ depth will be challenged at the beginning of the season, even while maintaining competitive performance in preseason.
There is an organizational emphasis on matching early-season availability to rotation needs to try to break a trend in season-opening results. The Spurs have struggled historically in regular-season openers, not winning since the 2021-22 season. The Spurs plan to break their regular-season opening night losing streak against the Mavericks.
Roster structure and guarantees
The club provided two roster breakdowns as part of its release: The final roster consists of 15 guaranteed contracts and three two-way players: Riley Minix, David Jones-Garcia, and Harrison Ingram. In parallel material the team listed its current setup and composition as the team’s current roster setup includes 13 players with fully guaranteed contracts, 2 on partially guaranteed deals, and 3 on two-way contracts. Both entries appear in official roster notes and reflect contract-status reporting steps taken before the season.
The team finished the roster cutdown with an 18-man group that includes 15 guaranteed contracts referenced above and the three two-way players. Management and coaching will monitor the injured players’ timelines and adjust minutes and matchups accordingly.
Immediate outlook
With the opener two days away, the Spurs will enter the game without key playmakers and rely on the depth chart to absorb minutes. The coaching staff has signaled trust in available veterans and younger guards to manage ball-handling and facilitation roles while the team awaits returns. The organization also confirmed that the waived players were processed before the league deadline on Oct. 20.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the Spurs finalize their roster before the opener?
The San Antonio Spurs set their 18-man roster three days before their regular-season opener.
Which players were waived on Oct. 20?
Adam Flagler, Micah Potter, and Stanley Umude were waived on Saturday, Oct. 20, before the league’s deadline.
What is the final roster composition?
The final roster consists of 15 guaranteed contracts and three two-way players: Riley Minix, David Jones-Garcia, and Harrison Ingram.
Who will be out for the season opener on Oct. 22?
De’Aaron Fox, Jeremy Sochan, and Lindy Waters III are expected to be OUT for the season opener against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 22.
Why was Lindy Waters III downgraded to OUT?
Lindy Waters III was downgraded to OUT due to an “eye issue” identified during his preseason physical, requiring a procedure with a target return after Oct. 31.
How did the Spurs perform in preseason?
The Spurs went undefeated in five preseason games, bolstered by Victor Wembanyama’s return after a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis.
Key roster and status table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Roster set | The San Antonio Spurs set their 18-man roster three days before their regular-season opener. |
| Players waived | Adam Flagler, Micah Potter, and Stanley Umude were waived on Saturday, Oct. 20, before the league’s deadline. |
| Two-way players | Riley Minix; David Jones-Garcia; Harrison Ingram |
| Out for opener | De’Aaron Fox; Jeremy Sochan; Lindy Waters III |
| Preseason record | The Spurs went undefeated in five preseason games |
| Roster guarantees (alternate listing) | The team’s current roster setup includes 13 players with fully guaranteed contracts, 2 on partially guaranteed deals, and 3 on two-way contracts. |
Timeline
| Date / Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, Oct. 20 | Adam Flagler, Micah Potter, and Stanley Umude were waived. | Processed before the league’s deadline. |
| Oct. 22 | Regular-season opener: Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks. De’Aaron Fox, Jeremy Sochan, and Lindy Waters III are expected to be OUT for the game. | Injury reports and roster notes. |
| After Oct. 31 | Target return date for Lindy Waters III following procedure for an “eye issue”. | Medical timeline reported by team. |
| Preseason (five games) | Spurs went undefeated in five preseason games, bolstered by Victor Wembanyama’s return after a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis. | Preseason game results and roster health updates. |
Simple visual statistics
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Additional Resources
- Express News
- Wikipedia: San Antonio Spurs
- Sports Illustrated
- Google Search: San Antonio Spurs
- Pounding The Rock
- Google Scholar: San Antonio Spurs
- Yardbarker
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio Spurs
- Heavy
- Google News: San Antonio Spurs
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