LOS ANGELES — A different injury status befell three San Antonio Spurs pieces on the West Coast Tuesday evening.
After missing the first six games of the season, Jeremy Sochan, Kelly Olynyk and Lindy Waters III were upgraded from OUT to QUESTIONABLE for Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The change marks an improvement from the trio’s previously indefinite recovery timelines dating back to training camp and preseason. The Spurs hope to add at least one of them back without risking further ailment.
“We’d rather be too slow than too fast,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said.
Full, lengthy injury report for #Spurs @ Lakers:
SAS:
De’Aaron Fox (hamstring) – OUT
Luke Kornet (ankle) – OUT
Dylan Harper (calf) – OUT
–
Jeremy Sochan (wrist) – QUESTIONABLE
Kelly Olynyk (heel) – QUESTIONABLE
Lindy Waters III (eye) – QUESTIONABLE
Harrison Ingram (two-way) -…
— Matt Guzman (@mattgzman) November 5, 2025
Johnson, contrary to popular opinion, doesn’t have much say in the return of his players. Their absences play a role in game planning, but remain independent from each other. De’Aaron Fox won’t come back any sooner with Dylan Harper now sidelined.
“Everybody is trending the right way,” Johnson prefaced, “but one person’s status won’t affect anybody else.”
Against the Lakers, Fox, Harper and Luke Kornet remain OUT. Fox has yet to return from an offseason hamstring injury, but remains firm on feeling ready to go — a sentiment he shared on Media Day. Harper will miss several games, and Kornet’s timeline remains ambiguous.
READ MORE: Spurs’ Depth Thins as Harper Set to Miss Time
Wembanyama came to the aid of his coach and the Spurs’ medical staff at practice in Los Angeles Tuesday morning.
“We’re going to be smart,” he said. “I’m not expecting everybody to be back by tomorrow. My job is not to make them heal quicker or plan for if they’re here or not. My job is to be good on the court.”
The Spurs suffered their first setback after a 130-118 loss to the Suns in Phoenix, a game in which Wembanyama logged only nine points. San Antonio is now 5-1, but plans to use the defeat as motivation for their next stretch.
“We kind of needed this,” Stephon Castle said. “We were starting to get a little comfortable. It was a wake-up call. I’m happy to see how we respond.”
Nov 2, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) gets help standing up after drawing a foul in the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. / Allan Henry-Imagn Images
The Lakers will also be shorthanded Wednesday night. LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Maxi Kleber, Adou Thiero and Gabe Vincent are all OUT, while Jaxson Hayes is AVAILABLE to return.
Johnson will adjust his game plan as needed.
“We’ve had guys in and out,” he said “that’s … the hand you’re dealt. It’s not anything uncommon throughout the league, it’s just — that’s how much sharper you have to be in the things that you can prepare for.”
As for Wembanyama? He has his sights set on a showdown with Luka Dončić, fresh off a game of rest. Through four games, the Frenchman has never beaten his Slovenian rival. But he plans to change that.
“Luka is one of the hardest players to scout,” Wembanyama said, “because he understands and (has) mastered the game more than almost everybody else. It’s always a great challenge.”
Tipoff between the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers from Crypto.com Arena is set for 9 p.m. Central on Wednesday night.
