Reported Gilgeous-Alexander's 32 points led Thunder past Spurs in season opener
The Thunder won OKC 116, SAS 104 in the season opener, a Western Conference finals rematch that ESPN called OKC's revenge. OKC took control with a 31-15 second quarter and led by as many as 27 pts. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 32 pts, 6 reb, 3 stl and 3 blk in 36 min.
Reported Wembanyama shot 1-for-13 on a rough night
Victor Wembanyama scored 12 pts on 1-13 FG, with 13 reb and 6 blk in 34 min. ESPN reported that he didn't score his first basket until the end of the third quarter, calling it a career-worst 8% shooting night. Jared Weiss reported that Wembanyama said afterward he needs to have fun out there.
Jared McCain scored 20 pts on 7-9 FG, including 6 3PM, in 22 min. The Athletic NBA Daily host said OKC first played two bigs against Wembanyama and later went small with Jalen Williams and McCain. The host called McCain's shot-making "massive."
Opinion Spurs' new three-guard lineup came under scrutiny
The Athletic NBA Daily host noted that the Spurs started three guards: Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper. Castle scored 24 pts with 5 3PM and Harper added 18 pts. A Hardwood Knocks host argued that the lineup hurts spacing and makes it harder to grow Wembanyama's offense.
Recap written Oct 22, 1:56 AM ET by our system from the box score and the posts linked, in our own words. Rumors and opinions are labelled.
Things to watch
set before tip, answered from the box score after
Does Tobias Harris miss the game?Yes
Tomer Azarly (X): Tobias Harris (left calf strain) has been ruled OUT for the Spurs opener against the OKC Thunder tomorrow.
What happened: Did not play
Before the game: the story
Reported Thunder lock up Cason Wallace on eve of Spurs opener
Oklahoma City signed Cason Wallace to a rookie-scale extension, worth $139 million per ESPN. Shams Charania calls it a critical deal that keeps him out of restricted free agency and leaves the Thunder's starting five under contract for years. CBS Sports notes it follows an offseason of cuts meant to get under the second apron.
Opinion Spurs open with three guards next to Wembanyama
ESPN reports San Antonio will start De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper alongside Devin Vassell and Victor Wembanyama. Jeff McDonald says Mitch Johnson made the choice clear in the preseason finale. ESPN adds the Spurs are expected to get back to the Finals after losing to the Knicks.
Reported Thunder short-handed: Topic, Sorber out, Oweh lost for season
Nikola Topic (back) and Thomas Sorber (knee) are out for the opener, and Underdog NBA says both are still recovering from surgery. Otega Oweh had Achilles surgery and will miss the whole season. Locked On Thunder's Rylan Stiles notes Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren didn't play at all in the preseason.
Reported Tobias Harris' Spurs debut on hold with calf strain
Tobias Harris, who joined San Antonio after playing mostly for Detroit last season, is out for the opener with a left calf strain. Tom Orsborn reports Mitch Johnson gave no timetable for his debut.
Written by our system from the reports, posts and podcasts linked here, in our own words; written Oct 20, 12:20 PM ET, before tip. Rumors and opinions are labelled.
Since the final
posted after the final · newest first · official report, X, Bluesky, RotoWire, ESPN
ESPNOKCOtega OwehOut
The Thunder plan to waive Oweh (Achilles) on Friday.
Right, Achilles, Surgery (return est. 2027-07-01)ESPN · Original ↗
XSASDevin Vassell
Those stitches inside Keldon’s mouth did not quiet him down this morning, Devin Vassell said:
“I love KJ. He's still KJ no matter what. If he has broken ribs, broken bones, it don't matter. He's still the loudest one out here. You got to love it.”
Johnson (mouth) participated in shooting drills after Friday's morning shootaround, per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.
Mouth, Laceration (return est. 2026-10-23)ESPN · Original ↗
ESPNSASDe'Aaron FoxDay-to-day
Fox (wrist) participated in Friday's morning shootaround, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Right, Wrist, Sprain (return est. 2026-10-23)ESPN · Original ↗also reported by RotoWire
BlueskySASAbout an earlier game
Keldon Johnson (mouth laceration) and De’Aaron Fox (wrist) are both participating in shooting drills here in Austin at the end of shootaround.
Spurs listed them as questionable yesterday for tonight vs. Houston.
@tomorsborn.bsky.social · View on Blueskyalso reported by @tom_orsborn
XSASDylan Harper
NEW story on the Spurs' 3-guard lineup:
It's not the starting lineup that's the most pressing issue. It's what comes after it.
With Dylan Harper in the starting lineup now, how do the Spurs find the offensive consistency that was a strength for them last season?
“That will be
Latest on Spurs injury situation heading into tonight’s game against the Rockets.
(Great shot by our @samowens.bsky.social capturing the moment Keldon Johnson suffered a deep cut inside his right cheek in a collision with SGA).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Scoring streak comes to an end — Gilgeous-Alexander closed Thursday's 96-84 win over Denver with 17 points (6-19 FG, 3-11 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, three assists and one block across 35 minutes.
Coach Daigneault said he was going to leave Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in for the 20+ point streak but SGA subbed himself out:
"I just have to note, he asked out of the game at the end... That was his substitution. It shows tremendous class as a competitor."
SGA finished with 17.
Jalen Williams: Cruises to 21-point night — Williams tallied 21 points (7-15 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 5-6 FT), five rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes during Thursday's 96-84 win over the Nuggets.
#Spurs list De'Aaron Fox as questionable for Friday night vs. Houston with a right wrist sprain.
Keldon Johnson is also questionable due to the cut inside his mouth he suffered in the opener that required stitches to close.
@tomorsborn.bsky.social · View on Blueskyalso reported by @JaredWeissNBA
XSASKeldon JohnsonQuestionable
#Spurs list Fox as questionable for Friday night vs. Houston with a right wrist sprain.
Keldon Johnson is also questionable due to the cut inside his mouth he suffered in the opener that required stitches to close.
De'Aaron Fox: Questionable for Friday — Fox (wrist) is questionable to play in Friday's game against the Rockets.
RotoWire · Original ↗also reported by @UnderdogNBA
RotoWireSASTobias HarrisOut
Tobias Harris: Ruled out for Friday — Harris (calf) is out for Friday's game against the Rockets.
RotoWire · Original ↗also reported by ESPN, @TomerAzarly, @tomorsborn.bsky.social
ESPNOKCNikola TopicOut
Topic (back) won't play in Thursday's game against the Nuggets.
Not Specified, Back, Surgery (return est. 2026-10-26)ESPN · Original ↗
ESPNOKCThomas SorberOut
Sorber (knee) is listed as out for Thursday's game against Denver.
Right, Knee, Surgery (return est. 2026-10-26)ESPN · Original ↗
ESPNSASTobias HarrisDay-to-day
Harris (calf) will not be ready for the season opener Wednesday against the Thunder, Matt Guzman of SI.com reports.
Left, Calf, Strain (return est. 2026-10-23)ESPN · Original ↗
RotoWireSASVictor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama: Struggles with shot in loss — Wembanyama registered 12 points (1-13 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 10-12 FT), 13 rebounds, three assists, six blocks and one steal over 34 minutes during Tuesday's 116-104 loss to the Thunder.
Stephon Castle: Scores 24 points Tuesday — Castle ended with 24 points (9-21 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds and one assist over 28 minutes in Tuesday's 116-104 loss to Oklahoma City.
Travel is the straight-line distance between arenas from the schedule, an estimate; in the first week they include preseason games. These numbers describe the schedule; they are not a prediction of how a team will play.