16 Pau Gasol PF

Gasol is coming off the bench Friday against the Magic.

Coach Gregg Popovich is giving Jakob Poeltl the opportunity to start. Gasol may help provide a scoring punch off the bench.

Gasol registered 14 points (6-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 assists, six rebounds, and one steal in 30 minutes during Wednesday's 130-127 loss to the Hawks.

Gasol drew the start in place of Jakob Poeltl and picked up the offensive slack in the absence of LaMarcus Aldridge (rest). With Dejounte Murray (knee) out for the season, the Spurs could elect to lean on and play through Gasol a bit more than they had planned. Nevertheless, Gasol is 38 years old, and he played a career-low 23.5 minutes per game last season.

Gasol is starting Wednesday against the Hawks, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Jakob Poeltl had started the previous two preseason games for the Spurs. In three preseason appearances, Gasol has averaged 8.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 block across 15.3 minutes.

Gasol contributed 13 points (4-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 15 minutes during Friday's 117-93 win over the Pistons.

Gasol came off the bench while Jakob Poeltl stepped in as the starting center in this one. However, Gasol made a much bigger dent in the box score. It's a promising sign that he was able to put together such a strong stat line, especially given that Gasol is unlikely to see heavy minutes this season.

Gasol is not in the starting lineup Friday against the Pistons, Jabari Young of The Athletic reports.

Gasol started the preseason opener, notching just three points and one rebound across 16 minutes in that contest. He'll give way to Jakob Poeltl at center in this one.