New combination on the floor
San Antonio Spurs coach Mitch Johnson finally deployed the three-guard lineup featuring De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle in a 123-103 preseason win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. Johnson explained that it is time to push forward appropriately with the team's natural evolution that will still take time. That was apparent in the group's choppy start as Harper and Castle combined to miss their first five shots before Fox subbed out with 6:57 left in the opening quarter.
By halftime, Fox, Harper, and Castle had combined for 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists in helping San Antonio seize a 60-49 lead. Johnson noted that the team started the game with some very sloppy possessions, and everybody will have to have a better start to games and a better approach with that. Fox drilled a corner three-pointer with 1 second left for the Spurs' final points of the first half.
Standout moments from the guards
Castle led all scorers with a game-high 18 points, including 14 from the free throw line. Harper finished with 9 points and drew massive cheers from the crowd when he caught a Devin Vassell miss for a tip dunk. Fox also slammed home a poster dunk in the first half.
Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama mentioned that when the offense clicked, it clicked, and having handlers all around him makes things easier. Fox, Harper, and Castle spent a total of 11 minutes on the floor together in the opening half, combining for 19 points to finish with a net rating of plus-10. Fox played only the first half, spending 18 minutes and 33 seconds on the court.
Building for the future
Johnson explained the logic behind playing Fox, Harper, and Castle together, stating they are three of the team's better players. He noted that De'Aaron Fox has played with other handlers and played off the ball a ton, while Steph Castle won a national championship at UConn playing without touching the ball at the start of a possession. Johnson added that Dylan Harper is in better shape now and that all three can dribble, pass, shoot, defend, make winning plays, and remain unselfish with good size.
Fox said the guards spoke over the summer in France when they visited Wembanyama about the prospect of potentially playing in the starting lineup together. Fox added that although they did not play together much last regular season, they knew there was a chance they would share the court, and they are all excited for it.
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