The NBA’s regular season tips off Tuesday night, and it’s closing with a absolute heater: a Western Conference finals rematch between the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, set for 9:30 p.m. ET at Frost Bank Center. This isn’t just another game, it’s a replay of last season’s wild series where Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs upset two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the then-defending champion Thunder in a grueling seven games. That postseason run was insane, a clear sign San Antonio’s new era had arrived.
The Wembanyama Hype Train Is Rolling
You gotta remember, Wembanyama is still just 22 years old, and he’s already the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. His teammate Stephon Castle didn’t hold back either, straight-up calling him the “best player in the f***ing world.” And honestly, after what we saw last season, who’s arguing? The Spurs might have fallen to the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, but that Cinderella story in the Western Conference was a statement. This kid is for real, and he’s going to be a problem for a long, long time.
Thunder Looking to Silence the Doubts
On the flip side, the Thunder have plenty to prove this season. Yeah, they won the NBA Finals just two seasons ago, but that WCF loss to the Spurs stung. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, despite being a two-time MVP, saw his shooting percentage dip from 55.3% in the regular season all the way down to 46.3% in the playoffs. Jalen Williams was battling health issues, and that definitely didn’t help. Plus, they traded starting 3-and-D guy Luguentz Dort to the Atlanta Hawks this offseason, which means someone else on the wing has to step up big. This isn’t just an opening night game; it’s a chance for the Thunder to show everyone they’re still championship contenders and that last year’s playoff exit was just a bump in the road.
This showdown is going to be electric, airing on NBC and Peacock. You know both teams are coming out swinging. The Spurs want to prove their WCF run wasn’t a fluke, while the Thunder are hungry to avenge that loss and set a new tone for the season. This is exactly the kind of high-stakes basketball we’ve been waiting for all offseason!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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