Getty
SAN ANTONIO, TX -SEPTEMBER 28: Tobias Harris #23 of the San Antonio Spurs poses for photographs at the San Antonio Spurs Media Day at Victory Capital Performance Center on September 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
The San Antonio Spurs are nursing a major injury to their veteran player and the team’s biggest offseason pickup.
According to Spurs head coach, Tobias Harris is dealing with a calf strain injury ahead of the 2026-2027 NBA season.
The caveat is that the team doesn’t know the extent of Harris’ injury, so they have no timeline or expectation for when he’ll return to the court.
He is expected to miss the entire preseason due to the injury, which was sustained in training camp.
“It’s a calf strain, the seriousness is what it is,” Johnson said.
Johnson, who coached the Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals, added that the team will not putting pressure on Harris to return immediately, considering that the injury is a tricky one.
“We won’t rush him at all. I guess the question will be: is he ready for the season opener? Totally questionable and we will not push that at all. So, we’ll take it slow,” Johnson said shortly after the Spurs’ Black & Silver scrimmage at Frost Bank Center. “There is no concern of this level of seriousness, and at the same time, we will not rush him at all.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson on Tobias Harris’ calf strain:
“It’s a calf strain, the seriousness is what it is. We won’t rush him at all. I guess the question will be is he ready for the season opener? Totally questionable and we will not push that at all. So, we’ll take it slow.… https://t.co/nuME4y23Z5
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) October 5, 2026
Tobias Harris Is Questionable In Spurs’ Opening Night
GettySAN ANTONIO, TX -SEPTEMBER 28: Tobias Harris #23 of the San Antonio Spurs addresses the media at the San Antonio Spurs Media Day at Victory Capital Performance Center on September 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Harris is officially listed as questionable for the team’s regular-season opener on October 20 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, whose squad they dethroned during the 2026 Western Conference Finals.
The team announced the injury on Sunday evening prior to their annual Silver & Black intrasquad scrimmage, which Harris watched from the bench in street clothes. The injury occurred during training camp, throwing a wrench into the 34-year-old veteran’s highly anticipated integration into the Spurs’ frontcourt after signing a two-year, $31 million contract in free agency last July.
Harris is scheduled to be formally re-evaluated by medical staff following the conclusion of San Antonio’s five-game preseason slate on October 16.
In the meantime, the Western Conference champion Spurs will rely heavily on their depth, including Julian Champagnie, Harrison Barnes, and Keldon Johnson, to fill the void before their opening night rematch against the Thunder.
Tobias Harris Explains Motivation In Signing With The San Antonio Spurs
GettySAN ANTONIO, TX -SEPTEMBER 28: Tobias Harris #23 of the San Antonio Spurs hits the weights after the San Antonio Spurs Media Day at Victory Capital Performance Center on September 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
Tobias Harris sees the Spurs as the perfect fit to play for after leaving the Detroit Pistons, the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference last season.
“I felt like during free agency that this was the best team to do it with,” Harris said. “My versatility playing, being a leader, veteran, and being able to help these young guys along the way would be needed here.”
Harris will play alongside star center Victor Wembanyama and young core pieces like Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, as well as veteran additions such as Harrison Barnes and De’Aaron Fox with the Spurs.
Harris said he will earn every minute he gets since the Spurs have a deep frontcourt rotation.
“My expectations are to earn every single minute that I get,” Harris said. “I’m at that point in my career, my life, that I have one thing in mind, and that’s to win big here.”
The Spurs are among the favorites to win it all this season after losing in five games to the eventual NBA champions New York Knicks, in the 2026 NBA Finals.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler.
A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda.
More about Rob Andrew Lo