Preseason has top picks coming to S.A.
The expected return of Dejounte Murray and home games against Western Conference foes featuring the top two picks of the draft headline the Spurs’ fivegame preseason schedule released by the club Monday.
An NBA All-Defensive Second Team honoree in 2017-18 who sat out last season after suffering a preseason knee injury, Murray appears on schedule to participate in training camp and the preseason.
If all goes well, the point guard could be back on the court for the exhibition opener against the Orlando Magic at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at the AT&T Center.
Murray, who turns 23 on Sept. 19, told reporters in June he had been cleared to begin fullcourt games of 4-on-4.
“I’m confident I’ll be ready to go,” Murray said, referring to the start of camp in late September.
After playing at Miami at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 8, the Spurs will return home to face the New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamson at 3 p.m. Oct. 13. After a dominant freshman season at Duke last year, the 6-foot-7, 285-pound Williamson was selected No. 1 overall by the Pelicans in June.
Following a 7 p.m. road game against the Houston Rockets and their revamped All-Star backcourt of James Harden and Russell Westbrook on Oct. 16, the Spurs will close out the preseason at the AT&T Center against the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18.
The Grizzlies made Morant the No. 2 overall pick after the point guard enjoyed a consensus firstteam All-America campaign as a sophomore at Murray State.
Tickets for the preseason games went on sale Monday at Spurs.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the AT&T Center Southeast Box Office noon to 5:30 p.m. weekdays or on weekend event days beginning three hours prior to the event.
The NBA is expected to release the schedule for the 2019-2020 regular season in mid-August.