The San Antonio Spurs’ season opener turned into a rough night fast, and Victor Wembanyama’s box score ended up telling the loudest part of the story. In a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wembanyama managed only one made field goal in 13 tries, getting most of his 12 points at the free-throw line.
Even with the cold shooting, he still left his mark on the game defensively. Wembanyama finished with 13 rebounds, one steal and six blocks, giving San Antonio the kind of rim protection people have come to expect from him. The problem was that the Spurs needed more than defense from their superstar in a game that never felt comfortable.
On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Wembanyama’s MVP rival - was in full control. He scored 32 points and kept attacking from everywhere on the floor as Oklahoma City pulled away with the win.
Afterward, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson did not want the night reduced to Wembanyama’s shooting line. He said the whole group came out too fired up and never channeled it properly.
"Thought we came out probably really amped up, which would be understandable. I don't think we put our energy or channel that energy in the right places.
Execution was not good... I think everybody struggled equally.
I know obviously his field goal will stand out, but everyone that participated in that," Johnson said after the loss to the Thunder.
For San Antonio, it was an ugly first step after the team’s impressive run to the 2026 NBA Finals. One game does not define a season, but this was a flat performance against a rival and a reminder that the Spurs still have to put the pieces together.
They have the talent to be taken seriously. Now they have to show it.
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The timing matters because the Thunder are already operating at their two-way limit, a restriction that previously kept them from adding Dalton Knecht. With that kind of roster squeeze, Owehs situation is no longer just about recovery, but about whether Oklahoma City decides it can afford to keep a spot tied up by a player who is expected to miss significant time. [Read more 🡒]