Holmgren Prepares for Thunder Spurs Season Opener

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren is preparing for a new season with a chance to respond to San Antonio's postseason success when the teams meet in the 2026-27 NBA opener on Tuesday, October 20. Holmgren is available after a quadriceps issue kept him out of the preseason, according to RotoWire, as the Thunder return to the court following a seven-game Western Conference Finals loss to the Spurs.

The matchup brings together Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams for Oklahoma City against Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio. The Spurs eliminated the Thunder in the conference finals last season, winning the series 4-3, after also recording a 4-1 advantage in their regular-season meetings, according to Sports Illustrated's October 20 report.

Holmgren averaged 17.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.7 made three-pointers and 1.9 blocks per game during the regular season, according to RotoWire. His production declined sharply in the conference finals, however, as The Ringer reported that he averaged 10.7 points against San Antonio, down from 17.1 in the regular season and 18.6 across Oklahoma City's first two playoff series.

Reflecting on the team's approach to its long-term goals, Holmgren emphasized the importance of focusing on development rather than becoming consumed by the rivalry narrative in comments reported by Sports Illustrated.

"You can't get so wrapped up in just that, that you forget the process and the steps that it takes to work towards the goal we're trying to work towards," Holmgren said.

He acknowledged San Antonio's quality while noting that Oklahoma City also has a young roster capable of competing at a high level.

"They're a very talented young team. There's no denying that. And I'd say, I mean, we're a very talented young team too, and that leads to some very fiery, competitive basketball games," Holmgren said.

Sports Illustrated reported that Oklahoma City was the NBA's second-youngest team, with an average age of 24.2 years, behind the Memphis Grizzlies at 24.1. San Antonio ranked 10th at 25.3 years, while Wembanyama was 22, Stephon Castle 21 and Dylan Harper 20.

Oklahoma City's core is also still developing. Gilgeous-Alexander was 27, Williams 25 and Holmgren 24, according to the report, leaving both teams with young players who have already gained significant postseason experience.

Holmgren also described the emotional toll of falling short after a demanding playoff run in comments published by HoopsHype on October 20.

"It definitely took me a couple weeks to sit there and reflect and think all that s--- was for nothing," Holmgren said.

He explained that the disappointment came from the gap between the work required to reach the NBA's highest level and the ultimate result.

"When you lose, it feels like it was all for nothing because at the end of the day, you don't put all that f---ing work in just to lose. You know what I mean? You put all that work in to try and reach the top. And when you don't get there, you can feel like it's a complete failure," Holmgren said.

Beyond individual performances, three-point shooting could prove decisive in the opener. Sports Illustrated reported that both teams shot approximately 36% from beyond the arc last season, with Oklahoma City ranking among the league's top 10 teams in that category.

The previous conference finals also highlighted the importance of perimeter efficiency. Across the seven games, the team with the higher three-point percentage won five times, including each of the final five games, according to Sports Illustrated.

Oklahoma City will need contributions from beyond the arc following offseason departures, with Jared McCain and Cason Wallace among the players identified as potential sources of additional production. Holmgren could also help stretch the floor, while San Antonio enters the opener with much of its previous roster intact. Newly acquired Tobias Harris is set to miss the game, according to Sports Illustrated.

The Thunder also added 7-foot-3 center Aday Mara with the 12th pick in the draft and extended center Isaiah Hartenstein, moves The Ringer cited when assessing Oklahoma City's frontcourt options after Holmgren's difficult postseason series. The Thunder's season opener offers their first regular-season opportunity to face San Antonio again.