San Antonio Spurs vs Charlotte Hornets Prediction, Players, Stats, Odds: 16/7/2025

 

On Tuesday, July 16, 2025, the San Antonio Spurs take on the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA 2K26 Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM ET. This matchup features two of the top five picks from the 2025 NBA Draft—Dylan Harper (No. 2) for the Spurs and Kon Knueppel (No. 5) for the Hornets—in what promises to be a thrilling display of young talent.

San Antonio Spurs Preview

Coaching & Philosophy
Under new Summer League head coach Mitch Johnson, the Spurs are balancing their classic system of ball movement with the dynamic skill sets of Harper and Bryant. Johnson values disciplined sets and defensive structure but allows freedom for his top playmakers.

Tactical Breakdown

• Offense: Expect a healthy mix of pick-and-rolls initiated by Harper, wing isolation for Bryant, and some Spurs-style off-ball action.
• Defense: A switch-heavy man-to-man scheme designed to contain perimeter threats and keep Harper involved defensively.
• Rotation: Harper and Bryant headline the starting unit, with David Duke Jr. and Jameer Nelson Jr. providing valuable depth and composure.
• Adjustments: Johnson is likely to test late-game combinations early to identify closers and build chemistry among top prospects.

Injuries & Selection Dilemmas
No injuries have been reported, and the Spurs are expected to field their full Summer League squad.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Strengths: Explosive guard play, scoring wings, and switchable defense.
• Weaknesses: Inexperience, occasional lapses in defensive rotations, and streaky shooting from deep.

Charlotte Hornets Preview

Coaching & Philosophy
The Hornets’ developmental staff emphasizes high-energy defense and transition offense, key for a team built around athletic prospects.

Tactical Breakdown

• Offense: The Hornets push the pace, running early-clock sets and letting Knueppel and Smith Jr. create. Expect plenty of drives and kick-outs.
• Defense: A blend of zone and man-to-man looks designed to pressure ball-handlers and protect the paint with long wings.
• Rotation: Knueppel and Nick Smith Jr. start in the backcourt, with Leaky Black serving as a defensive glue guy.
• Adjustments: The Hornets are experimenting with bigger lineups featuring Leaky Black at the 3 and multiple shooters on the floor.

Injuries & Selection Dilemmas
Charlotte has no major injury concerns and is expected to give all rotation players significant floor time.

Strengths & Weaknesses

• Strengths: Athleticism, perimeter shooting, and energy in the open floor.
• Weaknesses: Ball security under pressure, defensive rebounding, and lack of interior scoring.

Journey So Far

Both teams are using Summer League to evaluate rookies and new additions. The Spurs are building around a promising backcourt tandem, while the Hornets are testing spacing and versatility around Knueppel. Both teams enter this matchup looking to finish strong and make statements with their rookie cores.

Recent Form & Stats

San Antonio Spurs

• Last 5: W–L–W–W–L
• PPG: 91.4
• Opponent PPG: 89.7
• Momentum Score: 7/10
• 3PT %: 34.8%
• Turnover %: 14.2%
• Rebound Margin: +3.1

Charlotte Hornets

• Last 5: L–W–L–L–W
• PPG: 87.2
• Opponent PPG: 92.6
• Momentum Score: 5/10
• 3PT %: 33.2%
• Turnover %: 15.6%
• Rebound Margin: -2.8

The Spurs are trending upward, thanks to Harper’s impact and cohesive play, while the Hornets remain inconsistent, mixing impressive spurts with costly mistakes.

Key Players to Watch

San Antonio Spurs

• Dylan Harper: Averaging 18.3 PPG and 5.7 assists, he’s the offensive engine and primary initiator. His pace control will dictate the game.
• Carter Bryant: Versatile wing scoring 15.1 PPG with strong perimeter defense. A vital two-way presence.
• David Duke Jr.: Veteran glue guy helping steady the offense, especially in transition.

Charlotte Hornets

• Kon Knueppel: Posting 17.5 PPG and shooting over 40% from deep, Knueppel is a scoring threat on all three levels.
• Nick Smith Jr.: Streaky shooter who can heat up quickly—averaging 13.6 PPG in Summer League play.
• Leaky Black: The defensive specialist will likely guard Harper or Bryant and look to disrupt rhythm.

What to Watch Live

• Tempo Control: Will the Spurs slow it down and execute sets, or will Charlotte turn this into a sprint?
• Mid-Game Adjustments: Bench lineups and hybrid units could determine who controls the second and third quarters.
• Key Matchups: Harper vs. Knueppel is a showcase of rookie playmaking versus scoring.
• Bench Impact: Charlotte’s second unit has been less efficient; watch how San Antonio exploits that.
• Foul Trouble: Can the Hornets avoid putting Harper on the line early?
• Closing Lineups: Expect Harper and Bryant to close for the Spurs, with Knueppel and Smith Jr. trusted by the Hornets.

Where to Watch Live

• TV: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN+, NBA League Pass
• Tip-off: Tuesday, July 16, 2025 – 7:00 PM ET

Betting Insight

• Moneyline: Spurs -135, Hornets +115
• Spread: Spurs -2.5
• Over/Under: 180.5 total points
• Player Props: Harper O/U 17.5 points, Knueppel O/U 3.5 made threes

Smart bet: With San Antonio having a more structured offense and better ball control, backing the Spurs on the spread makes sense. The over also looks strong given both teams’ pace and perimeter shooting.

Betting Verdict: Take Spurs -2.5 and consider the over 180.5 in a game that should be uptempo.

Prediction

This should be one of the more entertaining Summer League matchups of the day. Harper’s playmaking and the Spurs’ defensive energy give them the edge over a talented but volatile Hornets squad.

• Projected Winner: San Antonio Spurs
• Predicted Score: Spurs 94, Hornets 88
• X-Factor: Bench scoring and Harper’s decision-making under pressure.

This San Antonio Spurs vs. Charlotte Hornets prediction points to a strong performance from San Antonio’s young core in Las Vegas.