One hard fall in San Antonio said a lot about where the Oklahoma City Thunder stand.
Chet Holmgren had 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks as the Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 116 to 104 in the season opener on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. He also served as the main defender on Victor Wembanyama. Holmgren stands 7 feet and earned All-NBA honors last season.
How did Chet Holmgren bounce back?
His last game against the Spurs was one to forget. In Game 7 of last season’s Western Conference finals, Chet Holmgren managed just four points and four rebounds as Oklahoma City lost at home.
This time, he made his presence felt on both ends. Wembanyama struggled badly, making just 1 of 13 shots after missing his first 12, the worst shooting night of his career. Wembanyama said afterward that he might have been overthinking it.
The Thunder’s star guard, who scored 32 points, called Holmgren a talent worthy of All-NBA honors on both ends. He said the team is simply better when Holmgren plays aggressively and with confidence, and that the box score does not capture everything he does.
What happened with De’Aaron Fox?
Early in the second quarter, Fox grabbed Chet Holmgren by the shoulders from behind as he posted up and threw him to the floor. Officials called a flagrant foul on Fox. A flagrant foul 1 is called for unnecessary contact and results in free throws and possession for the fouled team.
Thunder players rushed to confront Fox. Jaylin Williams arrived first and went face to chest with Wembanyama, who stepped in to defend his teammate. Jalen Williams and Kenrich Williams quickly joined.
After a review, officials handed out four technical fouls, one to Wembanyama and one to each of the three players named Williams on Oklahoma City’s roster.
How did Chet Holmgren react?
Chet Holmgren said he would get up and keep playing and that he appreciated his teammates having his back.
He said he did not fully understand how three players could receive technical fouls for reacting to something else. If opponents want to play physically, he added, the Thunder have to match it, and the officials will keep it within the rules.
Fox suggested Holmgren exaggerated the contact. He said that if someone grabs you like that and you go flying, you have other problems, and insisted he did not throw him that hard. Fox, who joined San Antonio in 2025, helped lead the Spurs to the Finals last season.
What did Jalen Williams say about the scuffle?
Jalen Williams said he did not like the play and simply ran in to support his teammates. In a scuffle, he said, there is not much thinking involved.
He joked that the technical foul cost him $2,500 and said he was happy to be part of the first time three players named Williams were called for technicals at once.
Is this the NBA’s next great rivalry?
It is shaping up that way. The Spurs knocked out the Thunder in last season’s conference finals, and NBA general managers picked the two teams as the top contenders for the title this season.
Betting markets also list San Antonio and Oklahoma City as the favorites. The two teams also share young cores that should keep them near the top of the league for years.
Wembanyama, the overwhelming pick to win MVP in the survey, has plenty of time to respond. But on opening night, Chet Holmgren won the matchup.
For Chet Holmgren, the opener offered a fresh start after a painful end to last season, and the Thunder made clear they have his back.
