San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich Reveals Starting 5 for Opening Night

The San Antonio Spurs could have a dangerous-looking starting five for the season opener against the Dallas Mavericks.

The San Antonio Spurs moved to 2-2 this preseason after taking down the Houston Rockets 117-103 at Frost Bank Center on Wednesday.

Behind impressive showings from Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs jumped out to 23-point lead and never trailed en route to a 117-103 win. And while coach Gregg Popovich has never been known as one to provide the media with details of the team's future plans, he said that Wednesday's starting five of Wembanyama, Vassell, Zach Collins, Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson "are going to start" meaning this could be the group fans see take the court to begin opening night against the Dallas Mavericks.

"They better play well or we are in trouble," Popovich said. "Those are the big guys. They are tall, they are big, they are going to start."

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) poses for photos with forwards Keldon Johnson (3) and Jeremy Sochan (10) and guard Devin Vassell (24) during media day in San Antonio / © Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

The shortest player of this group is Vassell, who is listed at 6-5 like Johnson but might be a bit shorter. Regardless, it's clear that the Spurs are creating their own version of a "death" lineup that features incredible size and versatility throughout.

At first glance, fans might be wondering who will be the unofficial "point guard" in a starting five that doesn't have a defined backcourt, but that's where Jeremy Sochan comes. The second-year forward already got some reps in that role last season, and is an exciting choice to take on some bigger reins in that area this year.

Vassell is also more than capable of bringing the ball up, though his elite shooting and scoring abilities make him better suited for getting to his spots off the ball or breaking down his defender one-on-one once the offense is already set up in the halfcourt.

Though the regular-season results of this starting unit are still TBD, there's no doubt that this group of five has some scary-good potential this season. The Spurs and Mavs tip-off their seasons on Wednesday in San Antonio.