For a third time in 11 days, San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center will host the storied I-10 rivalry between the host Spurs and the visiting Houston Rockets. And unlike the previous two meetings last week, Friday’s game is part of the NBA’s 2023-24 regular season.
The Rockets and Spurs split their exhibitions and are each 0-1 in “real” games, though they enter coming off very different circumstances. San Antonio had a close loss at home versus Dallas, while Houston was blown out in Wednesday’s opener by Orlando.
The Rockets didn’t have third-year guard Jalen Green (toenail issue) in either of last week’s games against the Spurs. His return could help Houston’s offense as it seeks to unlock space versus a long and physical Spurs team, anchored by rookie Victor Wembanyama.
Then again, Green struggled mightily in Wednesday’s regular-season opener versus the Magic, scoring just 10 points in 30 minutes on 2-of-10 shooting (20.0%) from the field. That type of performance isn’t likely to be sufficient to win a game in San Antonio, either.
Like the Magic, the Spurs also have a long and athletic defense, with the 7-foot-3 Wembanyama starting at power forward and a pair of big guards in Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan.
When and How to Watch
- Date: Friday, Oct. 27
- Time: 7 p.m. Central
- TV Channel: Space City Home Network, NBA League Pass
- Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free in Houston markets)
Probable starting lineups
Houston Rockets (0-1)
- Guard: Fred VanVleet
- Guard: Jalen Green
- Forward: Dillon Brooks
- Forward: Jabari Smith Jr.
- Center: Alperen Sengun
San Antonio Spurs (0-1)
- Guard: Devin Vassell
- Guard: Jeremy Sochan
- Forward: Keldon Johnson
- Forward: Victor Wembanyama
- Center: Zach Collins
Projected lineups are based on each team’s latest game.
Injury reports
Houston’s injury report for Friday night lists Tari Eason (left lower leg stress reaction), Jock Landale (head, concussion protocol), and Victor Oladipo (left patellar tendon repair) as out.
The Spurs are without Devonte’ Graham (league suspension).
