The Oklahoma City Thunder opened their season with a statement — a 116-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs in a chippy, foul-filled night at the Frost Bank Center, highlighted by a second-quarter scuffle that sent Chet Holmgren to the floor.
Chet Holmgren drives against Victor Wembanyama (Credits: ESPN)
October openers rarely carry this much bad blood, but this one had history. San Antonio eliminated the Thunder in the 2026 Western Conference finals, winning three of the final four games of the series before advancing to the NBA Finals. The rematch turned physical early — and Holmgren found himself at the center of it.
Fox’s Shove Ignites the Scuffle
In the second quarter, Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox pulled Holmgren down in an unnecessary act, throwing the OKC big man to the ground. Officials reviewed the play and assessed Fox a Flagrant 1 foul, then handed out four technical fouls — one to Victor Wembanyama and one each to Thunder players Jaylin Williams, Jalen Williams and Kenrich Williams — as players streamed in from both sides.
Wembanyama had to be held back as tempers boiled over. The Spurs got two free throws, which Wemby took, before Holmgren answered for the Thunder — and there was clearly no love lost between the two Western Conference favorites.
Holmgren’s Redemption Night
Beyond the drama, Holmgren delivered exactly what Oklahoma City needed: 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks, anchoring the defense against Wembanyama all night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander praised his teammate afterward, noting the Thunder are a significantly better team when Holmgren plays with confidence and aggression.
The performance earned Holmgren something new this season: public praise from one of his loudest critics, Kendrick Perkins, who liked the fight he saw in the big man — and made sure Wembanyama heard about it.
An October win doesn’t erase a playoff exit. But with both teams expected to contend deep into the spring — and their next meetings not until February and March — the Thunder just sent an early message that last season’s ending won’t be repeated quietly.
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Source: ESPN — read the full story there.