Thunder Game Day: OKC Opens with San Antonio Spurs, Victor Wembanyama
The first game of the Oklahoma City Thunder's preseason schedule begins today against the San Antonio Spurs.
It features two of the NBA's youngest rosters, including the highly-anticipated rookies Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama.
There will be eyes all over the first matchup between the rookies, who both have high potential as scorers and defenders at the center position. It's unknown how many minutes either player will receive in this contest, but it will likely just be one quarter for injury precautions.
Oklahoma City's superstar guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will not make an appearance in the game because he has proved himself enough already with an MVP-caliber 2022-23 campaign, but many of the Thunder's bench players will get opportunities to impress on a large preseason scale.
Jalen Williams drives past Spurs guard Malaki Branham
Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
ODDS:
The Thunder enter the day as 4.5-point favorites to the Spurs, and the total over/under is TBA.
KEYS TO THE GAME:
Outside of the Holmgren/Wembanyama matchup, San Antonio's Keldon Johnson and recently-extended Devin Vassell are players to watch at the forward position. Both are talented scorers that Oklahoma City will need to find ways to stop, as Johnson averaged 22 points per game last season, while Vassell averaged 18.5.
With Wembanyama's impact inside the paint, the Thunder will need to get it going from 3-point range early. While San Antonio has capable perimeter defenders, Oklahoma City will have a much easier time finding looks from three rather than against Wembanyama.
Without Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey will be the team's primary ball handler. The opportunity to lead the Oklahoma City offense could be intriguing, especially in Holmgren's debut. The pick-and-roll game between the duo has the potential to be deadly, and could be a major sign of what is to come in the rest of the season.
RECORDS:
Oklahoma City Thunder (0-0) vs. San Antonio Spurs (0-0)
INJURIES:
Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.
WHEN:
Monday, Oct. 9, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. CT
LOCATION:
Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
TV/Radio:
NBA TV, Thunder App, Bally Sports Oklahoma, WWLS 98.1FM OKC
FINAL WORD:
Oklahoma City's first preseason game will be one to pay attention to, as the NBA gets its first look at what the roster might look like this season. Typically the more experienced and proven players get less playing time in preseason, but with how deep the roster is, players have a chance to set themselves up for a higher position in the lineup at the start of the regular season.
The Thunder will next play the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6:00 p.m. CT, back at home at Paycom Center.
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