Tempers flared on Tuesday night as the San Antonio Spurs faced off against the Oklahoma City Thunder on opening night of the 2026-27 NBA season.
Early in the second quarter with the Thunder up 37-28, Ajay Mitchell tossed a pass under the net toward Chet Holmgren. The big man was defended by De'Aaron Fox, who shoved him and flipped him so he landed on the court. A scuffle ensued under the net with Kenrich Williams and Jalen Williams rushing over to defend their Thunder teammate. Victor Wembanyama was caught up in the melee and got into a shoving match with Jaylin Williams.
Both teams were separated as the crowd booed. The referees reviewed the scuffle and Fox was given a Flagrant 1 foul for "an unnecessary act." Technical fouls were given to Wembanyama and the three Williams players.
Things start to get chippy between the Thunder and Spurs 👀
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 21, 2026
The NBA is so back! pic.twitter.com/uumX58N7VF
The incident was reminiscent of last season's Western Conference semifinals when the Spurs played against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Wembanyama was given a Flagrant 2 foul and ejected from Game 4 for throwing an elbow in Naz Reid's face.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Spurs and Thunder scuffle after De'Aaron Fox's hard foul on Chet Holmgren