The Oklahoma City Thunder opened the 2026-27 season with a statement road win, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drove it. He scored 32 points as the Thunder beat the Spurs 116-104 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
Oklahoma City entered the season at the top of 12B SPORTS’ preseason power rankings, with San Antonio close behind. The first night of the campaign gave the Thunder a clear early edge in that rivalry.
Wembanyama kept quiet
The biggest storyline was at the other end. Victor Wembanyama finished with 12 points after making just 1 of 13 shots from the field. The Thunder defense shut him down, and the Spurs never found a way to get their centerpiece going.
San Antonio did get a strong night from Stephon Castle, who led the Spurs with 24 points. It was not enough to turn the game around, because Oklahoma City stayed in front and closed it out on the road.
An opening night with plenty to unpack
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers on the night, and the early noise around him is already loud. Opening nights can mislead, and a single shooting slump says little about a star as gifted as Wembanyama. Still, a road win over a top rival is a useful way to start 82 games.
The game closed the league’s opening night tripleheader, which also featured wins for the Pistons and the 76ers. Thunder fans will take the result as proof that this team is ready to defend its position near the top of the West.
For San Antonio, the opener showed how much depends on Wembanyama finding clean looks against elite defenses. The Spurs get a quick chance to respond when they host the Sacramento Kings on October 27, while Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder look to keep their early form rolling.
