The Spurs aren’t hiding how they feel about the Thunder, and Devin Vassell made that loud and clear in a team-produced clip.
“Two teams not liking each other at all, and I think we have a couple of those right now. Pretty self-explanatory. I don't think I need to say any names, but you'll see, and I think it starts on October 20th,” Vassell said.
That line drew a group laugh in the room, because everyone there understood exactly who he meant. The Oklahoma City Thunder are on San Antonio’s mind, and Vassell’s comments only added fuel to what has already started to look like one of the league’s hotter matchups.
For Vassell, the edge goes back to last year’s postseason, when things got physical after Ajay Mitchell hit him with a hard foul on a breakaway layup attempt. The moment boiled into a shoving match, and it’s clear that memory has stayed with him.
He’s not the only Spur who has leaned into the tension. Victor Wembanyama’s “ethical basketball” comment during the regular season stood out, and the Spurs seemed to bring extra emotion every time they faced Oklahoma City. That much was obvious from the way they approached the series.
The Thunder, though, don’t appear interested in matching that energy in the same way. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander already made that point when he said the regular-season series was not his team’s Super Bowl.
That’s been the Thunder’s approach all along: stay focused, keep improving, and keep their eyes on the championship goal. Beating the Spurs has never been the point. Building the roster, tightening the rotations, and preparing for the postseason have taken priority.
So while San Antonio keeps leaning into the rivalry talk, Oklahoma City keeps things measured. The Spurs may play with emotion and animosity, but the Thunder have stayed steady and calm. And when the two teams meet, that difference in approach could matter just as much as the noise around the matchup.
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Thunder Opening Night Will Reveal A Lot About This New Rotation
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will still command the spotlight, but the broader question is how this rotation holds up when the games start carrying real weight. With a familiar opponent on the other side and several young Thunder players set for meaningful minutes, the opener could shape how the rest of the league views Oklahoma Citys depth, balance and long-term ceiling. [Read more 🡒]