Sports
Gilgeous-Alexander scores 32 as Thunder take season opener in San Antonio
Oklahoma City opened its 2026-27 season with a 116-104 road win over the Spurs, the team that ended the Thunder’s playoff run last spring. Jared McCain added 20 points off the bench as OKC built a 21-point halftime lead.
The Oklahoma City Thunder began the 2026-27 NBA season Tuesday with a 116-104 win over the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center, getting 32 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a strong boost from reserve Jared McCain.
Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers, making 13 of 27 shots and adding five rebounds. McCain scored 20 points and hit five of his six 3-point attempts, while Chet Holmgren finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Oklahoma City seized control early, shooting 5-for-6 from 3-point range in the first quarter to take a 34-28 lead. The Thunder widened the margin to 65-44 by halftime. San Antonio made a push to open the third quarter, scoring the first six points, but OKC answered and carried a 93-80 advantage into the fourth.
The Spurs chipped away, but McCain and the Thunder repeatedly responded. His late 3-pointer helped keep Oklahoma City ahead by 10 with less than four minutes remaining.
Victor Wembanyama had eight points at halftime after missing all seven of his first-half shots. He scored 12 points overall, with his first basket coming on a dunk in the closing seconds of the third quarter.
The opener renewed a consequential matchup: San Antonio eliminated Oklahoma City in Game 7 of last season’s Western Conference finals on May 30, ending the Thunder’s bid to repeat as NBA champions. Oklahoma City’s next game is its home opener against Denver at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.