3 takeaways as three-guard lineup has ups and downs in Spurs' win over Suns

1. Initial struggles, later success for the three-guard starting lineup

When the San Antonio Spurs unveiled their three-guard starting arrangement of De Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Castle, it didn't exactly bode well. With just six minutes left in the first quarter, the starting five had only managed to sink three points, shooting 1 of 10 from the field. Coach Mitch Johnson noted that it was the first time those players had played together, and they were still finding their rhythm.

However, as they continued to play together, they eventually started to click. During the final three minutes of the first half, Fox, Harper, and Castle combined for 19 points, propelling the Spurs to a 60-49 halftime lead. While the three-guard experiment remains a work in progress, there's no doubt that the Spurs are excited about the potential of this lineup.

2. Dominating the glass despite limited competition

Prior to the game, Mitch Johnson had expressed concern about rebounding as the main challenge with his new starting lineup. However, the Spurs' defense proved to be a significant factor in their 123-103 victory over the undermanned Phoenix Suns. The Spurs secured the rebounding battle 50-36 and pulled down 12 offensive boards, giving rookie center Tarris Reed Jr. a significant role off the bench with 10 rebounds.

In addition to Reed, Harper grabbed six boards, Harper had six, and Bryant added five. While Wembanyama chipped in with four rebounds, the Spurs' ability to dominate the boards proved crucial against a Phoenix team that was often at a size disadvantage. The trio will need to bring more muscle to the glass when facing bigger, more physical frontcourts during the regular season.

3. Ryan Bryant's impact on the defensive end

With three key reserves - Julian Champagnie, Luke Kornet, and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson - resting for the game, Ryan Bryant took on a larger role on the defensive end. Bryant, who shot four of his seven attempts from three-point range, showed a more polished jump shot and contributed significantly to the Spurs' defense.

One early sequence involved Bryant blocking Jordan Goodwin twice on the same possession, setting the tone for his powerful night. He ended the game with a strong defensive performance, emphasizing that he tries to be a ceiling riser for his team. By playing well in this preseason game, Bryant demonstrated that he can be valuable and important on the defensive end, potentially making the Spurs an even stronger team in the regular season.