WATCH: Spurs-Thunder get into scuffle after De'Aaron Fox throws Chet Holmgren to the ground originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It's clear the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs don't like each other. These two squads have faced off 13 times, including the 2026 Western Conference Finals and the 2026-27 NBA season opener. Things can get physical, but it reached new heights. De'Aaron Fox, Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, and everyone with the Williams surname were involved.
Wembanyama-led Spurs and Thunder get into scuffle after Fox throws Holmgren during NBA Season Opener
The most common take prior to the start of the NBA season was that either the Spurs or Thunder will win the Larry O'Brien trophy. These two squads have perennial MVP candidates in Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Their squads have also developed a disdain for one another. So, fouls are way harder than usual when compared to a regular NBA game.
The new physical heights that the Spurs and Thunder reached? Well, De'Aaron Fox was on a mismatch with Chet Holmgren. No switch was available, or the Spurs guard would be forced to face the opposing seven-footer in the post. His easy solution was to just take down Holmgren and throw him on the ground.
To no one's surprise, both benches cleared, and some pushes broke out. Wembanyama was there for Fox, along with the rest of the Spurs players. Kenrich Williams, Jaylin Williams, and Jalen Williams also got involved, via Hoop Central.
SPURS VS. THUNDER GET INTO IT. 👀🍿 https://t.co/OM3wAbg2NV
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 21, 2026
Eventually, cooler heads prevailed, and the second quarter of this NBA Opening Night resumed. However, the officials still made some rough decisions. Fox got a Flagrant 1 violation because of how hard he threw Holmgren. Wembanyama also got a technical foul. Weirdly, all of the aforementioned Williams on the Thunder also received technical fouls.
The Spurs were not going to allow the Thunder to get away with easy points just like the Fox mismatch on Holmgren. Why? It's because, so far, they are lagging way behind the Thunder. They lost the first quarter 34-28. The same story holds in the second quarter as well. But it looks worse now, with the Spurs trailing 17-5.
The Spurs and Thunder don't like each other. Whether it's Holmgren on Wembanyama or Fox, both sides have reason to be physical. NBA fans are lucky to see this rivalry unfold in real time.