Thunder defeat Spurs as Gilgeous-Alexander scores 32 in season opener

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points, added five rebounds and four assists as the Oklahoma City Thunder opened the 2026-27 NBA season with a 116-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs at the Frost Bank Center. Victor Wembanyama recorded 12 points and 13 rebounds but made only a single field goal, missing his first 12 attempts, the poorest shooting start of his career.

The Thunder built a decisive lead after a brief altercation in the paint that resulted in technical fouls for several Spurs players and a flagrant foul on De'Aaron Fox. A 9-0 run sparked a 22-3 surge, giving Oklahoma City a 26-point advantage at its peak. The team used contributions from 11 different players and shot 10 of 14 from three-point range in the first half.

"We're just happy to be back," Gilgeous-Alexander said on NBC after the game. "The NBA's back. It's a longer summer when you don't win, and we felt that this summer. We're just happy to be back. [It] is one of 82. This doesn't prove anything, this doesn't mean anything… We took a step in the right direction."

Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox was involved in a scuffle with Chet Holmgren, leading to multiple technical fouls and a flagrant foul. Despite a brief comeback in the second half that cut the deficit to single digits, the Thunder responded with a key sequence from rookie Aday Mara, extending the lead.

Stephon Castle led San Antonio with 24 points and seven rebounds, while Dylan Harper added 18 points and Fox contributed 14 points and seven rebounds. For Oklahoma City, Jared McCain came off the bench with 20 points, including a career-high six three-pointers, and Holmgren finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.