Story by
Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz
- Story by
- Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz
The San Antonio Spurs have won four straight games after a disappointing start to the season. One of those wins recently came in overtime against the Utah Jazz. Now, just a half a week later, the Spurs will rematch the young Jazz at home, looking to extend their winning streak to five games.
The last game against the Jazz was a back-and-forth affair, with the Spurs starting slow and finishing strong in overtime. Utah got some stellar performances from their young guards, while San Antonio needed a 36-point, 14-rebound Victor Wembanyama performance to get the job done. The Jazz played that game without one of their best players, Lauri Markkanen, but will get him back on Monday night. Markkanen is averaging 15.4 points per game this season.
Advertisement
San Antonio is coming off a convincing Halloween win over a shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves squad, developing an early-season rhythm. While the Jazz are just 1-5 to start the season, they'll pose a real challenge to San Antonio. The Spurs will need to bring their A-game if they want to keep up momentum heading into November.
San Antonio Spurs (4-2) vs. Utah Jazz (1-5)
November 2nd, 2026 | 7:30 PM CT
Watch:DAZN | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Injuries: Tobias Harris – Out (calf), Jayden Quaintance – Out (knee)
Jazz Injuries:Trey Alexander – Out (G League), Kobe Bufkin – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), Jaren Jackson Jr. – Out (knee), Jusuf Nurkic – Out (foot)
Advertisement
What to watch for:
Wembanyama and Fox
San Antonio has gotten great production from their two best players to start the season. The San Antonio Spurs are +96 points in 213 possessions with the duo on the court this year. They are -17 points when they sit. Fox and Wembanyama have found great synergy in the pick-and-roll, where Fox has used Wembanyama's gravity to find openings in the mid-range, where he is hitting shots at a high percentage. Wembanyama has become more committed to rolling to the basket, creating easier opportunities when opponents switch. The Jazz were great in the last game at staying disciplined and fighting through screens to keep their big man contesting Wembanyama lobs. Fox and Wembanyama finding an edge will be crucial to the Spurs' success.
Slowing down Keyonte George
George lit up the Spurs for 31 points on 11-27 shooting from the field in their last contest. He especially had it going early, as he hit several pull-up jumpers. San Antonio will need to find a way to slow the opposing guard down, whether with a one-on-one defender like Stephon Castle or a team scheme that forces George to take difficult shots inside of the three-point arc. In general, the Spurs will need to get out to Utah's shooters, who can get hot quickly.
Advertisement
Getting to the rim
The Jazz are thin in the front court thanks to injuries to Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic. Jaxson Hayes, Markkanen, and Mo Bamba are leading Utah's big man rotation. None of those big men are particularly elite at defending the paint. Wembanyama exposed this in the last game between these teams. San Antonio will need to find a way to get downhill against the Jazz and challenge their limited front-court depth.
