Why are the Thunder and Spurs trending today?
The teams are trending because they are meeting for their season opener after a heated postseason clash last year. The matchup is viewed as a preview of the Western Conference Finals, featuring MVP candidates Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
What happened
- Earlier
The Spurs defeated the Thunder in a seven-game series during the Western Conference Finals [2], [3].
- Earlier
The Spurs lost the NBA Finals to the New York Knicks in five games [3].
- 21 Oct, 01:00 UTC
The two teams prepare for their opening night game at Frost Bank Center [2], [3].
What you need to know
The Thunder drafted 7-3 rookie Aday Mara specifically to help defend Victor Wembanyama [2].
The Spurs are debuting a three-guard starting lineup consisting of Dylan Harper, De'Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle [3].
The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock, starting at 8:30 PM EST [2].
It is not yet confirmed if the Thunder's rookie Aday Mara will successfully slow down Wembanyama during his limited expected minutes [2].
Background
The rivalry has intensified after the teams met 12 times over the previous year [3]. While the Spurs emerged victorious in the playoffs, the Thunder are seeking revenge in the 2026-27 season [2].
The Spurs are coming off a deep run that ended in the Finals, while the Thunder are focusing on finding a defensive answer for Wembanyama, as previous options like Chet Holmgren struggled in the Conference Finals [2], [3].
Questions people ask
Who are the key players to watch?
MVP frontrunners Victor Wembanyama for the Spurs and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the Thunder are the primary focuses [2].
Which players are missing the game?
The Spurs will be without Jayden Quaintance and Tobias Harris, while the Thunder will bench Otega Oweh, Thomas Sorber, and Nikola Topić [3].
Where this came from
[1] dazn.com
Dylan Harper or Stephon Castle: Who is best placed to help Victor Wembanyama lead the Spurs?
Preview image from dazn.com
[2] ca.sports.yahoo.com
Biggest Storyline Of NBA Opener: Can the Thunder Finally Stop Wemby?
Preview image from ca.sports.yahoo.com
[3] si.com
Spurs, Thunder Ready to Put Boxing Gloves Back On for Opening Night Showdown
Preview image from si.com
Found through Google Trends and drafted with AI from at least two cited sources. Published automatically after passing our automated checks for sources, wording and safety. It may not have been reviewed by a person yet. Report a correction.