Spurs and Thunder Renew Western Rivalry on Opening Night

The San Antonio Spurs host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night to open the NBA season. Last May's seven-game Western Conference Finals series ended with the Spurs advancing past the Thunder. Both sides return as the West's top teams and will renew that rivalry immediately.

Victor Wembanyama anchors the Spurs after earning unanimous Defensive Player of the Year honors. The team will start three guards in De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper alongside Devin Vassell and Wembanyama. Coach Popovich confirmed the lineup for the opener against the Thunder.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander enters as a two-time MVP for the Thunder. Oklahoma City made roster adjustments during the offseason and carries injury questions around Chet Holmgren. The Thunder still project as the primary obstacle to another deep Spurs playoff run.

The two teams split the regular season meetings last year before meeting in the conference finals. Tuesday's game at Frost Bank Center will set the early tone for the standings race. Wembanyama versus Holmgren and Gilgeous-Alexander against the new Spurs backcourt provide the key individual matchups to watch.

Both organizations built around young stars who already reached the conference finals. Multiple high-stakes games between them appear likely over the next several seasons. The season opener offers the first look at how the rivalry evolves this year.