Thunder Capitalize on Wembanyama's Rough Night to Beat Spurs
Victor Wembanyama endured the poorest shooting night of his NBA career as San Antonio dropped its home opener to Oklahoma City, 116-104. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander powered the Thunder with 32 points, while Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 22. San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson described the performance as a broadly poor team effort, and Wembanyama said he played too hesitantly.
Wembanyama missed all 13 field-goal tries, including eight before halftime, as San Antonio fell at home to Oklahoma City. The Spurs shot below 29% in the first half, while the Thunder connected on 10 of 13 3-pointers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32, and Stephon Castle had 22 for San Antonio.
A second-quarter altercation involving De'Aaron Fox and Chet Holmgren produced technical fouls for Wembanyama and three Oklahoma City players. San Antonio's three-guard group outscored the Thunder by 10 across 12 minutes together, and a 23-10 second-half surge briefly cut the deficit to seven.
The result may shape early-season narratives around Wembanyama's development and San Antonio's team chemistry, affecting fans, teammates, and coaches who look to him as a franchise centerpiece. A rough opening night could intensify media scrutiny and fan debate while also offering a teaching moment for young players about handling expectations. For Oklahoma City, a strong road win may reinforce local enthusiasm and national attention, though one game is unlikely to define either team's season.