SAN ANTONIO — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had an opportunity to talk that talk.
The floor was all his after he sank a turnaround 17-footer over Dylan Harper, silencing a once-chaotic Frost Bank Center crowd. But no words flowed from the reigning two-time reigning MVP's mouth as he backtracked on defense.
Gilgeous-Alexander just turned to OKC's bench and gave his teammates a look. That look. The spine-shivering stare down that stays in the nightmares of opposing defenses. The piercing pupils of an apex predator on the prowl.
There was no need for verbiage. Words can be misinterpreted, contorted to fit narratives. But action is unmistakable. It transcends languages in a league led by international players. And the Thunder's performance on Tuesday delivered quite the statement.
OKC began the new season with a 116-104 road win over San Antonio in what marked a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals. The Thunder led by as many as 26 points in the first half, and it fended off a late comeback attempt by a fellow title contender.
Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 32 points, five rebounds and four assists on 13-for-27 shooting from the field (3 for 7 from deep). Jared McCain also poured in 20 points and two assists on 7-for-9 shooting from the field (6 for 8 from deep) off the bench.
Here are three takeaways from the win:
Recap: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC Thunder storm past San Antonio Spurs
Chet Holmgren showed no fear against Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
The sights and sounds of opening night can be distracting for some. But they weren't for Chet Holmgren, who never lost focus in the moments leading up to opening tipoff.
His eyes were locked onto Victor Wembanyama, the guy who willed basketball's most one-sided beef into existence. The guy who thoroughly outplayed him throughout last season's Western Conference Finals. The guy he'd have to compete against for the next 48 minutes.
And when the ball went up, Holmgren went at him right away.
After catching a pass on the perimeter at the 8:51 mark, Holmgren got the smaller Devin Vassell matched onto him and drove to the rim. He then met Wembanyama in the paint and fearlessly finished an acrobatic layup over the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
Holmgren continued to play fearlessly throughout the night. He punished the Spurs for placing small defenders on him. He rejected switches, insisting on defending his star counterpart. And he was unfazed when he did get his shot blocked by Wembanyama, an inevitable casualty of the big man battle.
Holmgren finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocks on 3-for-8 shooting from the field (0 for 1 from deep). It's an impressive performance by the All-NBA and All-Defensive forward, who's a game changer on both ends when playing at that level.
NBA predictions: Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder will win their second championship
It helps to have Jalen Williams
Stephon Castle found a window, an opening out of the house of horrors known as OKC's daunting defense. And he tried to take it.
Castle caught a pass from Wembanyama and attacked an open lane before going up for a two-handed dunk attempt. But right when it looked like he'd escaped the Thunder's clutches, Jalen Williams reeled him back in.
The former All-Defensive forward flew in from the side and got a hand on the ball for a block. The same hand that needed two wrist surgeries, limiting his performance throughout all of last season.
Williams was also limited by strains in both hamstrings last season. That ultimately held him to just three appearances during the Western Conference Finals. But those days are behind him, and he helped the Thunder stay out in front Tuesday.
Williams was a disrupter on defense, invading passing lanes and guarding Spurs players of all sizes. He was a constant presence on the glass despite competing with a fleet of 7-footers. And he was quick to use his speed to his advantage in transition.
Those skills shined, even with a bit of rust. Williams stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists on 5-for-16 shooting from the field (1 for 2 from deep).
More: Why Jalen Williams is physically, mentally ready for bounce-back season with OKC Thunder
OKC kept Victor Wembanyama contained
Wembanyama is used to meeting opposing players at the rim. But on Tuesday, he was the one getting familiar with the front iron.
Shot after shot, Wembanyama watched as the ball clanked off the rim. It happened on chip shots that are usually automatic from the self-branded alien. And it happened on 3-pointers that are usually within his wide-reaching range.
It wasn't until the final seconds of the third quarter that Wembanyama finally saw a shot drop. It was an alley-oop dunk off an assist from De'Aaron Fox.
But it didn't happen until he'd started the game 0 for 12 from the field. That marked the most misses by him to start a game in his career.
Some of those shots were surely makeable, but others were made improbable by OKC. It's a testament to the interior defense of its bigs, from Holmgren to rookie Aday Mara. And it's a testament to the help provided by everyone else.
Wembanyama ended the night with 12 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks. He went 1 for 13 from the field (0 for 4 from deep) in 34 minutes.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Chet Holmgren shows no fear vs Victor Wembanyama, Spurs as Thunder rolls in opener