Wembanyama and Spurs reopen West race against Thunder
San Antonio’s season opener is also a rematch of last year’s Western Conference finals Game 7.
The San Antonio Spurs begin the new NBA season against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals.
San Antonio beat Oklahoma City 111-103 in Game 7 last spring to reach the NBA Finals. The Thunder still finished the regular season with the league’s best record for a second straight year at 64-18, while the Spurs won 62 games.
Oklahoma City returns Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the two-time defending MVP, with Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren again central to the rotation. Holmgren has been managing a quad issue and could miss the opener.
San Antonio brings back Victor Wembanyama, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, alongside De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Tobias Harris may be unavailable with a strained left calf.
The opener gives both teams an immediate measuring stick: Oklahoma City must show it can break through after losing the series, while San Antonio has to prove last season’s run was the start of a sustained challenge.
