Thunder Gameday: OKC Returns Home to Face Wembanyama-Led Spurs

Rookies Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama will matchup for the first time of the regular season in a battle between two of the NBA's youngest teams.

In one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the year, Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama will play each other in the regular season for the first time in the NBA's In-Season Tournament. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder are coming off a 111-99 win against the Phoenix Suns, where its defense overwhelmed Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. The team is having a successful season so far, holding a 6-4 record heading into the contest.

The San Antonio Spurs have just three wins thus far, struggling to put together many complete games. However, their rookie Wembanyama just happens to be generational talent, averaging close to 20 points and nine rebounds. 

Victor Wembanyama at Paycom Center during preseason.  / Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

ODDS:

The Thunder enter the day as 8-point favorites to the Spurs, and the total over/under is 237.5 points.

KEYS TO THE GAME:

The matchup between Holmgren and Wembanyama will be all the focus of tonight's game. 

Both players have gotten their fair share of comparisons between each other, due to their similar freakishly tall frame and skillset for the big man position. They are in the forefront of the Rookie of the Year debate, making large impacts on their respective teams just 10 games into their careers. 

Seeing if Holmgren can handle Wembanyama – and vice versa – will be fascinating. In the preseason, the pair had equally great performances, each scoring 20+ points on efficient shooting nights. 

Focusing on preventing a high-scoring game from Wembanyama should be the Thunder's focus, as the Spurs do not have many strong scoring options outside of the rookie.  

RECORDS:

Oklahoma City Thunder (6-4) vs San Antonio Spurs (3-7)

INJURIES:

Check out our live injury tracker, along with our game day injury report that will release later today.

WHEN:

Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 6:30 PM CT

LOCATION:

Paycom Center - Oklahoma City, OK

TV/RADIO:

TNT, Bally Sports Oklahoma, NBA League Pass, 98.1 FM The Sports Animal

FINAL WORD:

It will be an exciting game on national television for the Thunder, gaining the spotlight for a broad NBA audience to discover its talent. Holmgren will be the main focus, but expect the likes of Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams to show out on the big stage. 

Following the game, Oklahoma City will travel to Golden State in a rematch against the Warriors on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 9:00 p.m. CT. 

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