Takeaways: Wembanyama, Spurs Handed First Setback As Suns Win With Ease

PHOENIX — The San Antonio Spurs’ early-season momentum came to a halt Sunday night in the desert. Their first loss of the 2025–26 campaign — a 130–118 defeat to the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center — stung even more after rookie guard Dylan Harper left the game with a left calf injury.

Phoenix (3–4) set the tone from the opening tip, attacking the Spurs’ defense early and often. The Suns outscored San Antonio by 14 in the first quarter and never gave up the lead, punishing defensive lapses and forcing the Spurs into uncharacteristic turnovers.

“We did not start with the proper approach,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said. “When you don’t start with the right approach and you do, as Phoenix did, you’re in for a really long night.”

Here are three takeaways from the Spurs’ loss to Phoenix:

Losing Harper Hurts

The Spurs’ promising start to the season hit a harsh turn when Harper, the No. 2 overall pick, exited in the second quarter with a left calf injury. 

Harper appeared to tweak his leg after contesting a shot from Phoenix center Nick Richards. He immediately grabbed at his calf, grimacing in pain before making his way to the locker room under his own power, followed by general manager Brian Wright. He did not return.

“I just believe it’s something to do with his calf, but I don’t have anything as of yet,” Johnson said after the game.

According to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright, Harper was later seen leaving the arena in a walking boot and crutches, though the Spurs won’t know the full extent of the injury until an MRI is completed.

The timing couldn’t be worse for San Antonio, which is already short-handed. De’Aaron Fox, Luke Kornet, Lindy Waters III, and Kelly Olynyk were all out Sunday, and Harper had quickly become a vital piece in the Spurs’ early success — offering secondary playmaking and defensive energy alongside Victor Wembanyama.

If Harper misses extended time, the Spurs’ rotation will once again be stretched thin — and Johnson’s young group will have to grow up fast.

Deep Struggles

San Antonio’s shooting woes told the story of the night. The Spurs couldn’t hit from distance — or stop the Suns from doing so.

Phoenix punished every defensive breakdown, connecting on 19 of 33 threes (57.6%), with Devin Booker leading the way. The All-Star guard scored a game-high 28 points and hit both of his attempts from beyond the arc.

On the other end, the Spurs fired blanks. San Antonio shot a season-low 24% from three (10-for-41), often settling for contested looks and failing to generate rhythm.

“The season’s long,” Johnson said. “There are teaching moments in every game. I think we did not start with the proper approach, and it’s hard to fight an uphill battle or chase in this league.”

It was the kind of night where the Spurs’ youth showed — hesitant rotations, inconsistent spacing, and stretches of isolation that fed into Phoenix’s transition game.

A Feast Inside

Wembanyama entered Sunday averaging nearly 30 points per game, but the Suns made sure he didn’t come close to that number.

Phoenix threw double and even triple teams at him, swarming him in the post and forcing him into awkward angles. Wembanyama finished with just 9 points on 4-of-14 shooting, his lowest output of the season, while committing a season-high four turnovers.

“I think we need to get to our spacing spots a bit quicker,” guard Stephon Castle said. “Give him more space to see where doubles are coming from. We know teams are going to do that — no one wants to guard him one-on-one — so we need to do better at it.”

Castle was one of the few bright spots for San Antonio, finishing with 26 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in the loss. His maturity stood out on a night when much of the team appeared unsettled.

“I feel like we kind of needed this,” Castle said. “We were starting to get a little comfortable, so this is kind of a wake-up call for us. I’m happy to see how we’re going to respond on Wednesday.”

Up next:

The Spurs (5–1) will travel to California for a matchup against the LA Lakers on Wednesday, hoping their first loss — and the uncertainty surrounding Harper — doesn’t stall the progress they’ve made through the season’s opening stretch.