3 Takeaways as depleted Spurs fall to Jazz

San Antonio Spurs center Tarris Reed Jr., center, shoots the ball over Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, left, during an NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate) Tyler Tate/Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY — The Spurs starters got in a good sweat. It just didn't happen in a game. Article continues below this ad After going through a more intense than usual shootaround in the morning, all but one of the regulars had the night off. Playing with a skeleton crew, the Spurs remained winless in the preseason after losing 119-109 to Utah on Monday night at the Delta Center. The Spurs (0-3) rested Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper and Devin Vassell . De'Aaron Fox, who has yet to make his preseason debut because of a hip injury, and Carter Bryant , who suffered an ankle injury in the 102-98 loss at Phoenix on Saturday , also sat out the game. All five Jazz starters scored in double figures, with rookie Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 overall pick, finishing with 14 to go along with five assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Keyonte George each had 13 points to help Utah improve to 2-1. Spurs second-round rookie Ja'Kobi Gillespie scored 15 of his game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 3 of 4 from 3-point range. He was 9 of 14 and 4 of 8 overall in 25 minutes. Article continues below this ad Harrison Barnes had 19 points on the strength of 10-of-12 shooting from the free-throw line. Keldon Johnson, who turned 27 on Sunday, had 15 points, while Julian Champagnie and Jordan McLaughlin had 14 apiece. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson pulled his starting five of Barnes, Johnson, Champagnie, McLaughlin and Luke Kornet mid-way through the third quarter. Champagnie is the only starter from the first two exhibition games that saw action in Salt Lake City. "I was really happy with the starting five and the whole group," Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. "I thought there's been some carryover from new things we've installed or implemented, things that maybe we've tweaked or tried to grow. And then some things in terms of just playing to our identity and our standard and style of play that probably has not been up to the standard that we felt like it should. "We put our energy and intentions into a lot of good spots tonight." Article continues below this ad Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh (28) is fouled by San Antonio Spurs guard Ja'kobi Gillespie (17) as he drives to the basket during an NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate) Tyler Tate/Associated Press Here are three takeaways from a game featuring teams that will meet again on Oct. 28 in the first of three regular season games, all in the first three weeks of the season: 1. Relentless rookie stood out Rookie center Tarris Reed Jr. wears No. 10, and at times he resembled one of the greatest rebounders in NBA history, a Hall of Famer who also wore that number as a Spur. Article continues below this ad Like Dennis Rodman, the 6-foot-10, 270-pound Reed was relentless on the boards. Reed had 10 rebounds — six on the offensive glass — in his first six minutes. He finished with 17, including eight on the offensive end, in 24 minutes. "Rebounding is one of those things where you don't really get free ones, so if you go get 17 of them, that means you're working," Mitch Johnson said. "And I think he will continue to see more pictures or things and patterns over time and recognize things and the game will slow down. But right now I love the physicality and the motor he's playing with. He just has a nose for the basketball, and, typically, that's a very valuable skill set in this league." Reed also had four points, four steals, one assist and one block. Article continues below this ad But it was his rebounding that stood out. "I feel like it was a good job, a good step forward on the glass today, knowing that was the emphasis for this team," Reed said. "So keep being dominant, keep being physical, and whatever I need to do to help this team out, I'll do it." 2. Smart to rest regulars In sitting Wembanyama, Castle and other mainstays, the Spurs simply followed a load-management plan mapped out before the preseason by the medical staff. Article continues below this ad Given the cramped preseason schedule, a break in Utah at the midway point was a smart move. "Just management in terms of we got five games every other day and had a good practice this morning," Mitch Johnson said. "And so just trying to continue to get into in-season game shape as best we can, which is a little bit of a balancing act, and give some opportunities for other guys that have earned it." Wembanyama, Castle, Harper and Vassell are all expected to return Wednesday at home against Phoenix. Fox and Bryant are questionable. Article continues below this ad "Optimistic, but I'm not sure they're going to play, but they're trending in the right way," Mitch Johnson said. The Spurs have already ruled out Tobias Harris for the entire preseason due to a left calf strain. Rookie Jayden Quaintance is out indefinitely while rehabbing from offseason knee surgery after the Spurs drafted him 20th overall. 3. McLaughlin great for end-of-bench role It wasn't one of the marquee moves of the offseason, but Spurs general manager Brian Wright re-signing Jordan McLaughlin made Mitch Johnson and others in the organization smile. Article continues below this ad With Castle and Harper out, the eighth-year pro started at point guard and produced 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting and six assists. "He executes exactly what's asked of him and plays with composure," Mitch Johnson said. The players were also glad the Spurs brought back McLaughlin to add depth and leadership at the end of the bench. "Anytime we need him to come in, he's ready to play," Keldon Johnson said. "He's always positive and he's just an amazing teammate." Article continues below this ad McLaughlin said he briefly looked at Atlanta, Boston and Utah before deciding to sign a one-year, $3.3 million deal with the Spurs. "You hear nothing but good things before coming into the organization, but when you're in it and you actually see it, they take care of their players," he said. "The players take care of the players. We've got a good group, good group of guys, very talented group of guys, and we all enjoy each other's company."