The Oklahoma City Thunder open their 2026-27 NBA season on October 20 against the San Antonio Spurs with a major question mark surrounding star center Chet Holmgren. Holmgren did not play in any of the team's five preseason games due to a quad contusion, casting uncertainty over his availability for the high-profile matchup. The Thunder are coming off a 116-89 preseason loss to the Houston Rockets on October 15.
Head coach Mark Daigneault has been tight-lipped about specific player availability. After a Saturday practice, Daigneault deferred to the league's official injury report for updates. "Everybody did something in practice today, to varying degrees based on individual situations," Daigneault said. "But in terms of availability for any player, I'll just leave it to the injury report." The final report confirming Holmgren's status for the Spurs game will be released on Monday, October 19.
Holmgren isn't the only Thunder player dealing with health concerns. Backup big man Jaylin Williams missed the entire preseason slate with heel soreness. Rookies Thomas Sorber and Nikola Topic were also sidelined, limited in training camp as they recover from offseason surgeries. The team suffered a significant blow when Otega Oweh sustained a torn Achilles tendon in the preseason, ending his year.
Oklahoma City finished its exhibition schedule with a 2-3 record. Their preseason began with a 110-116 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on October 6, followed by a 126-128 overtime defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks on October 7. They then fell 113-110 to the Atlanta Hawks on October 12 before securing a narrow 114-112 win over the Indiana Pacers on October 13. The preseason concluded with the 27-point loss to the Rockets. You can review the full schedule and upcoming games on our schedule page.
The inconsistent results highlight the challenge of integrating players and managing workloads without a full roster. The absence of Holmgren, a defensive anchor and offensive hub, was felt particularly on the interior. His potential return would provide an immediate boost in scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking.
The season opener is a rematch of the 2026 Western Conference Finals and features the league's two title favorites. Holmgren's arch-rival, San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama, is expected to play, setting the stage for a marquee big-man duel if Holmgren is cleared. Their individual battle is a key subplot in what many analysts predict could be a playoff series preview.
For the Thunder, starting the season with a win on the road against a direct competitor would send a strong message. However, doing so without their starting center would require other players to step up significantly. The health of role players like Jaylin Williams will be important for frontcourt depth, especially against a lengthy Spurs team. Fans can track the latest player availability updates on our injuries section.
Oklahoma City's offense relies on Holmgren's unique ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim. His three-point shooting opens driving lanes for the team's guards, and his defensive presence allows for aggressive perimeter defense. His potential absence forces a tactical reshuffle that the Spurs will look to exploit.
The team's final practice before the trip to San Antonio will be telling. All eyes will be on the Monday injury report for official word on Holmgren's game status. The Thunder's championship aspirations begin with handling this early-season adversity.
