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The San Antonio Spurs are about to receive a major boost as star point guard De'Aaron Fox will make his season debut on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Fox had been nursing a hamstring strain that he sustained in the offseason. The former All-Star's return gives the Spurs much-needed experience in the backcourt. Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper were exceptional in covering for Fox, helping the Spurs to a five-game winning streak to start the season (they are 1-2 since). Castle has averaged 18.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 2.2 steals on 50.5% shooting in eight games. Meanwhile, Harper averaged 14.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg and 3.8 apg on 50.0% shooting. However, Harper has missed the last two games due to a calf strain and is out for multiple weeks. On the other hand, Stephon Castle has struggled to put Victor Wembanyama in favorable spots over the past three games. In that stretch, the Spurs' 7-foot-5 star has averaged 16.7 ppg and 3.0 apg on 38.6% shooting, including 11.1% from 3. De'Aaron Fox's return could resolve those issues. His playmaking and gravity could create space that Wembanyama needs amid defenses attacking him in a multitude of ways. Wembanyama will play on the second night of back-to-back and reunite with his co-star on Saturday. While Wembanyama isn't expecting Fox to find his rhythm right away, he is keen on recovering from his slump over the past three games.JeffGSpursKENS5 @JeffGSpursZoneLINKWembanyama says he knows what Fox can bring on the court tomorrow. Says he isn't having expectations for Fox but he does have high expectations for himself v Pelicans #nba #porvidaNevertheless, it won't be surprising if De'Aaron Fox is close to his usual levels as he's been slow and steady with his recovery from a first-ever hamstring injury. Here's what the San Antonio Spurs star said on Friday during an interview with Prime Video's Cassidy Hubbarth:"Talking to people who have gone through, not quite the same injury, but going through hamstring injuries, always talking about how they felt great, and they go out there and re-injure it. So, that was something I didn't want. I didn't want to have a setback even if I had to sit out longer."Fox relies on his quickness and burst excel, so it made even more sense for him to be completely ready before returning. The Spurs have gone beyond expectations to stay afloat, so it was a win-win situation for him and the team.Apart from Dylan Harper, the San Antonio Spurs will miss Luke Kornet, who remains sidelined with a knee injury. Coach Mitch Johnson said he expected Kornet to return soon, but didn't give a concrete timetable.Jared Weiss @JaredWeissNBALINKMitch Johnson says he expects Luke Kornet to return from an ankle sprain soon, but was still vague on timing.Where to watch New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs?Gulf Coast Sports, Pelicans+, and FDSSW will telecast the New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs game on Saturday in local regions. Meanwhile, NBA League Pass will provide an online streaming option for viewers outside New Orleans and San Antonio. The game will begin at 8:00 p.m. ET.
