Spurs Starter, Thursday, October 31, 2024: Chris Paul Receives Standing Ovation

Your daily briefing on what's going on with the San Antonio Spurs, including news, draft and more.

Mathey Gibson | Oct 31, 2024

Oct 30, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) moves the ball down the court beside Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the second quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images / Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

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San Antonio Spurs

Happy Halloween, Por Vida fans! Welcome to your morning Spurs Starter.

On Wednesday night, the San Antonio Spurs were outmatched by the red-hot Oklahoma City Thunder, falling 105-93. Despite moments of competitiveness, the Spurs struggled offensively against Oklahoma City’s strong defense, anchored by Chet Holmgren.

The game also marked Chris Paul's return to Oklahoma City, where he started 70 games for the Thunder in 2019-20. Thunder fans booed each Spurs starter as they were introduced—Julian Champagnie, Victor Wembanyama, Harrison Barnes—all met with jeers. But when Paul’s name was called, the boos turned to cheers, honoring his legacy.

All 4 Spurs starters minus Chris Paul get boo’d by Thunder fans. Paul had a loud ovation

Wemby received the loudest boos pic.twitter.com/FSl50WryC7
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 31, 2024

Paul, 39, showed he’s still got it, tallying 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting and adding nine assists in the loss. Not bad for a veteran still making his mark.

Now, on to the headlines:

THE NEWS

1. READ: OFFENSE STUMBLES, WEMBANYAMA STRUGGLES IN LOSS TO THUNDER

The San Antonio Spurs came up short against the Oklahoma City Thunder, losing 105-93 in a game that highlighted struggles on both ends of the floor.

Read the full story at the link above.

2. WATCH: BARNES BLOWS BY CHET HOLMGREN FOR POWERFUL SLAM

On Wednesday night, the newly acquired San Antonio Spur put himself on the highlight reel.

Check out the play below and read more about it at the link above.

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3. READ: AFTER SUMMER OF REPS, SPURS' MALAKI BRANHAM AN EARLY SURPRISE

Through four games, San Antonio Spurs guard Malaki Branham has proven he's deserving of a rotational spot — a relative surprise considering his lack of preseason minutes, but a testament to his work ethic.

Read the full story at the link above.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE

Spurs at Utah Jazz, 8:00 p.m. CT.
TV: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Southwest.

MEDIA DAY, TRAINING CAMP

Now that the Media Day is over and the 2024-25 season is set to kick off, you can check out the stories surrounding the team as it gears up for the beginning of the preseason.

- The Ultimate Guide to Spurs Training Camp

- Everything Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich Said at Media Day

- Victor Wembanyama is 'Funnier' as Spurs Prepare for New Season

- Chris Paul and Gregg Popovich, Once Rivals, Now Set to Join Forces

- Wembanyama Adds 25 Pounds Ahead of His Second NBA Season

- Chris Paul Enters San Antonio as Polished Veteran, Mutual Choice

- Keldon Johnson Is Back For Year 6, and Feels Like the Old Man

- Wembanyama 'Working on Fundamentals' Ahead of Sophomore Year

- Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul Share Comical Moment During Media Day

- Gregg Popovich Looking Forward To Season of Improvemen

- Castle Impresses Spurs Early with Versatility and 'Own Pace'

- Wembanyama Sets Next Big Goal: Elevating His Spurs Teammates

- Alpine F1 Team Announce New Era Clothing Collaboration

- Gregg Popovich Likes New, Improved Victor Wembanyama

- Is Stephon Castle's Jump Shot A Genuine Problem?

- Jeremy Sochan Ready to Thrive at 'Natural' Position

- Will Julian Champagnie Start In Place of Devin Vassell?

- Zach Collins 'Feeling Great' After Shoulder Surgery

- Harrison Barnes Speaks on Young Spurs' Winning Mentality

- Castle Speaks on Spurs' 'Aggressive' Defensive Mindset

- Keldon Johnson Focused on Getting Better, Sticking Around

- Champagnie's Approach to Begin New Season? 'Just Keep Shooting'

- How Can Sandro Mamukelashvili Earn Rotational Minutes?

THE FULL SCHEDULE

The San Antonio Spurs played their first game of the year on Oct. 25, kicking off the second season of Victor Wembanyama's young NBA career. Now that it's through, here's a preview of some upcoming dates and times (all in CST) throughout the season to watch for:

San Antonio Spurs Regular Season Schedule

Oct. 24: Season Opener at Dallas Mavericks (L 120-109)
Oct. 26: Home opener vs. Houston Rockets (W 109-106)
Oct. 28: Regular season vs. Houston Rockets (L 106-101)
Oct. 20: Regular season at Oklahoma City Thunder (L 105-93)

Nov. 15: Group Play Begins vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Dec. 10: NBA Cup Knockout Rounds Begin
Dec. 25: MSG Christmas at New York Knicks

Dec. 31: New Year's vs. LA Clippers

Jan. 23-25: Paris Games vs. Indiana Pacers

Feb. 3: Rodeo Road Trip Begins at Memphis Grizzlies

Feb. 14-16: All-Star Break

Feb. 20: Spurs Get Moody vs. Phoenix Suns
Feb. 21: Spurs Get Moody vs. Detroit Pistons

March 21: Longest Home Stand Ends vs. Philadelphia 76ers

April 6: Final Road Trip Begins at Portland Trail Blazers
April 13: Final Home Game vs. Toronto Raptors

AROUND THE NBA

Catch up on some of the league-wide headlines below:

Also, be sure to follow along with Spurs On SI's NBA tracker, with more detailed breakdowns of major league news and updates.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Create havoc, create destruction."
- Dennis Rodman

THIS DAY IN SPURS HISTORY

October 31, 1928: Angelo Drossos, owner of the San Antonio Spurs from 1973 to 1988 was born in San Antonio.

THE CLOSER

Check out our homepage for more news and follow us on the platforms below. Thank you for tuning in and enjoy the rest of your Halloween. Speaking of, here's a throwback: