OKC Thunder Deserve Praise for Opener Despite Context of Single Game

It is easy to get carried away after one game, especially when a team gives you plenty of reasons to be excited. At the same time, one night does not tell the whole story of an 82-game season. 

There will be tough losses, stretches when things do not click and plenty of questions that will take time to answer.

Still, if you are an Oklahoma City Thunder fan, Tuesday night gave you plenty of reasons to feel good about what is ahead.

The Thunder opened their season with a 116-104 road win over the San Antonio Spurs, the team that sent them home in last season’s Western Conference finals. It was not just another game on the schedule. It was an early opportunity to see how Oklahoma City would respond to a new season, a few new faces and an opponent that gave them plenty of trouble last spring.

The result was encouraging, and it had a lot to do with the things that have made the Thunder successful in the first place.

Oklahoma City did not need to spend the night trying to figure out who they wanted to be. From the opening quarter, the Thunder played with their usual defensive pressure, pushed the pace and made San Antonio uncomfortable. 

They built a lead as large as 26 points and held Victor Wembanyama without a made field goal until the very end of the third quarter.

That is the kind of defense that can carry a team a long way. The Thunder will not shoot the ball well every night, but they can give themselves a chance to win by making life difficult for the other team.

There were plenty of individual performances to like, too.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looked like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The reigning MVP finished with 32 points, six rebounds and four assists, picking up where he left off last season. There was no easing into the new campaign or waiting for him to find his rhythm. When Oklahoma City needed someone to take control, its best player was there.

Chet Holmgren also made his presence felt, even if his 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks do not tell the entire story. His aggression against Wembanyama stood out. Holmgren challenged shots, competed around the rim and helped make things difficult for the Spurs’ biggest weapon. He did not have to dominate the matchup to make a difference.

Then there was Jared McCain, who gave the Thunder a scoring boost off the bench. McCain scored 20 points in just 22 minutes, shooting 7-of-9 from the field and 6-of-8 from three-point range. Oklahoma City has plenty of players capable of making an impact, and performances like this show how valuable that depth can be.

Perhaps the most encouraging part of the night came when the game got uncomfortable.

After building a commanding lead, the Thunder watched the Spurs make a run and work their way back into the game. Oklahoma City could have let that momentum swing completely in San Antonio’s favor. Instead, the Thunder returned to their defensive principles, settled down and found a way to regain control.

That response matters. Every team will face adversity throughout the season. What separates good teams from great ones is how they respond when things stop going according to plan.

Of course, there are things Oklahoma City needs to clean up. The turnovers, fouls and stretches of inconsistent offense are worth watching. Giving away a big lead is not something the Thunder want to make a habit of, and there will be nights when those mistakes are much harder to overcome.

But that is why the season is 82 games long. There is time to learn, make adjustments and get better.

For now, the Thunder have every reason to be encouraged. They went on the road and beat a talented team with a little extra motivation behind the matchup. Their MVP delivered, Holmgren helped set the defensive tone, McCain provided a spark and the team’s identity looked as familiar as ever despite the new faces.

Nobody should be handing out trophies after one game. There is still a long way to go, and Oklahoma City has plenty of work ahead.

But opening night was a good reminder of what this team is capable of when they play the right way.

It was only one game. The Thunder know that. Still, it was a pretty good way to start.