​Did Carter Bryant hint at a Spurs bounce-back after their Summer League collapse? This piece originally appeared on The Sporting News. A note to readers: The Sporting News is listed as a preferred source by clicking here.
San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant was in the starting lineup for Thursday’s NBA Summer League matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, but the game proved to be a challenging one for both Bryant and the Spurs. Las Vegas witnessed a lopsided 93-66 defeat for San Antonio as the 2026 Summer League in Las Vegas continued.
After the game, Bryant spoke candidly about his performance and emphasized that he is still finding his footing after a prolonged layoff. “I think the biggest thing for me is in that first game I feel like I had to knock the rust off a little bit. I ain’t played a basketball game since Game 5 of The Finals, so just understanding every night’s not going to be your night,” Bryant said. He added, “Like I think I shot, I don’t know what I shot, but I had four turnovers. I’m missing coverages defensively. I’m not being as intense defensively, like I’ve just got to be better on that side of the basketball. Losing is unacceptable, especially like that, especially for this franchise. I’m going to be better as we move forward.”
Bryant finished with 12 points, two rebounds, one assist, two steals, and four turnovers, shooting 31 percent from the field in the 27-point loss. The team as a whole struggled throughout the night, connecting on just 33.8 percent of its field goals and an abysmal 11.8 percent from beyond the arc. On the other side, Atlanta showed balance across its roster, with seven players reaching double figures. Asa Newell led the Hawks with 15 points as they cruised to a decisive victory.
Looking ahead, Bryant is slated to return to action when the Spurs face the New York Knicks on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center. The young guard will get another chance to build momentum and demonstrate progress as he seeks to rebound from a disappointing Summer League opener and help San Antonio regain momentum in the tournament format.
This story also touches on broader conversations surrounding the Spurs’ direction, including questions about how short-term results in Summer League might influence long-term plans. Analysts and fans alike will be watching how Bryant and the rest of the Spurs’ young core respond in upcoming games, especially as expectations mount for the franchise to develop players who can contribute at a high level in the NBA’s regular season and beyond.
In other intrigue, there have been various discussions about the Spurs’ recruitment and development approaches, including debates about how potential signings and draft picks could affect the team’s core dynamics. Some speculate about the impact of veteran leadership versus continued emphasis on youth development, while others focus on how the coaching staff will integrate new players into a system that aims to maximize growth and competing for minutes.
As Summer League continues, Bryant’s performance will be under the microscope as San Antonio seeks to turn early setbacks into learning opportunities and lay the groundwork for a more competitive push as the season approaches. Watch for how Bryant adjusts his approach, improves defensively, and contributes more consistently in the next matchup, with the next test coming against the Knicks and the chance to show the kind of bounce-back depicted by his own reflections about needing to bring greater intensity and better execution.