Spurs vs Thunder Preview: Wembanyama & Paul Out, Thunder Aiming for a Strong Start

At 8 PM on October 8th, the NBA preseason continues with the Spurs hosting the Thunder.

The San Antonio Spurs have undergone several seasons of rebuilding and finally made some changes during this offseason. They signed veteran Chris Paul in free agency, bringing more experience to their backcourt. They also acquired championship forward Barnes through a trade, making their roster more balanced. With the addition of these two veterans, the Spurs’ strength has improved, and they are no longer aiming for a rebuild but instead looking to make an impact, especially considering they have the league’s rising star – Wembanyama.

In his rookie season, Wembanyama demonstrated great potential, averaging 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game, securing the Rookie of the Year award and entering the competition for Defensive Player of the Year. In the new season, Wembanyama will have a seasoned Paul by his side, which is expected to elevate his performance even further. Tyson Chandler and DeAndre Jordan are prime examples of players who thrived under similar circumstances. However, for this game, neither Wembanyama nor Paul will be playing, and Vassell and Collins will also be absent, diminishing the match’s appeal significantly.

The Oklahoma City Thunder made noticeable strides last season, securing the top spot in the Western Conference, though their playoff run ended in the semifinals. To enhance their competitiveness, the Thunder traded for Caruso during the offseason to bolster their defense and then signed Harrellstein in free agency to provide depth in the frontcourt alongside Holmgren. These targeted moves have made the Thunder more competitive, and they aim to advance further in the new season. During the preseason, head coach Daigneault mentioned that they would experiment with different lineups to conduct some tests.

Moreover, key players like Alexander and Jalen Williams have gained more experience. Alexander was particularly impressive last season, averaging 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, placing him among the final candidates for MVP. In the new season, Alexander aims to lead the team to maintain a top position in the West while also pursuing individual accolades, including the MVP award. However, Alexander will not play in the first preseason game, and Dort will also be out, reducing the number of key players on both teams and taking away some excitement from the match.

This is the first preseason game for both teams, and they are being cautious, with some core players sitting out. On the court, both teams are expected to give their all, striving for a win to welcome the new season. We’ll see which team can secure the first victory.

>>”>For more predictions on this game, click >>>