Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder Open Season at Spurs

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets the first crack at payback. The two-time reigning MVP and the Thunder open the 2026-27 season Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. ET in San Antonio, on NBC and Peacock, against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs team that ended their title defense in May.

The last time these two shared a floor, the Spurs won Game 7 of the Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City, 111-103, to reach their first NBA Finals since 2014. Gilgeous-Alexander did everything he could that night, with 35 points, nine assists, four rebounds and three steals, per NBA.com. It was not enough, and San Antonio moved on to face the Knicks.

Chasing a Third Straight MVP

Gilgeous-Alexander won his second straight MVP in May, taking 83 of 100 first-place votes after averaging 31.1 points while shooting 55.3% from the field, 38.6% from three and 87.9% at the line, per CBS Sports. Only Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird have won the award three years in a row. Michael Jordan and LeBron James never pulled it off.

He spent the summer working on his game away from the ball. "Every season and every offseason, I use it to try to find ways to become a more well-rounded basketball player," he said earlier this month, per NBA.com. "That was just an area of the game where I felt like I could be a better basketball player."

OKC went an NBA-best 64-18 last season but was 1-4 against San Antonio before the West finals, per NBA.com. Jalen Williams is healthy again after a left hamstring injury cost him 10 of the Thunder's 15 playoff games. The wing rotation looks different, with Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe all traded this offseason. Chet Holmgren missed all five preseason games with a quad contusion, and NBA.com's preview says he could miss the opener. The league's official injury report for the game had not been submitted as of Monday afternoon.

Wembanyama and the Three-Guard Spurs

Wembanyama was the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year last season and finished third in MVP voting. He was also the West finals MVP after averaging 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.7 blocks against OKC, per NBA.com. San Antonio brings back nearly everyone who mattered, and De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper have talked about sharing the backcourt.

"The biggest thing is that I've got (ball) handlers all around me, guys we want to put the ball in their hands and pick and roll all around me," Wembanyama said, per NBA.com. "So that makes some things easier."

Tobias Harris, signed this offseason, has been out all preseason with a strained left calf and may miss the opener.

What to Watch

If Holmgren sits, Isaiah Hartenstein is the Thunder big in line for the extra minutes, per WhyNBA, so check the report before you lock lineups.

Gilgeous-Alexander shot 40.9% from the field in that series as the Spurs threw size at him all seven games, per NBA.com. Tuesday is his first shot at proving that was the exception, in the building where the Spurs will be waiting for him.