SAN ANTONIO – In a thrilling season opener, the Oklahoma City Thunder triumphed over the San Antonio Spurs with a score of 116-104. This match was particularly significant for the Thunder, as the Spurs had previously dashed their hopes for a championship in the last postseason.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as the standout player for Oklahoma City, scoring an impressive 32 points. His performance was instrumental in leading the Thunder, who maintained control of the game for the majority of its duration.
On the other side of the court, Spurs rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama had a challenging night, finishing with only 12 points on a dismal 1-for-13 shooting performance. Wembanyama’s lone basket was a highlight-reel alley-oop delivered by De’Aaron Fox, which came just as the third quarter concluded. This marked the first time he had made only one field goal since a game against Minnesota in May.
Despite Wembanyama’s struggles, Jared McCain provided a spark for the Thunder, contributing 20 points while shooting an efficient 75% from beyond the arc. The Thunder managed to lead for all but the first five minutes of the matchup, demonstrating their offensive prowess.
The backdrop of this game carried a sense of rivalry, as the Spurs had previously eliminated the Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals last season. This encounter was charged with intensity, evident from a skirmish that erupted in the second quarter when Fox received a Flagrant Foul for a hard foul on Chet Holmgren. The incident escalated into a brief altercation involving several players, resulting in multiple technical fouls being issued.
Following the scuffle, Oklahoma City capitalized, launching a 9-0 run that shifted momentum firmly in their favor. The Thunder outscored the Spurs 31-16 in the second quarter, ultimately building a commanding 65-44 lead by halftime.
In the second half, the Spurs made a spirited comeback, opening with a 23-9 run that cut the deficit to single digits. Nevertheless, Gilgeous-Alexander and McCain stood firm, combining for 25 points in the latter stages of the game to secure the victory for Oklahoma City.
Looking Ahead
The Thunder will host the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, while the Spurs will face off against the Houston Rockets in Austin on Friday night.
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