Victor Wembanyama Starts 0-for-12 in Career-Worst Shooting Night Against Thunder

Victor Wembanyama recorded 12 points and 13 rebounds but shot just 1-for-13 in the San Antonio Spurs' 116-104 loss to Oklahoma City.

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 116-104 on Tuesday, led by a defensive effort that held Victor Wembanyama to a career-worst 8% shooting performance. Wembanyama missed his first 12 field goal attempts, tying for the second-most missed shots to start a season opener since the 1997-98 season. He did not record his first basket until the final buzzer of the third quarter, converting a spinning dunk off a lob from De'Aaron Fox. The 22-year-old finished the game with 12 points, 13 rebounds, and six blocks on 1-for-13 shooting.

Oklahoma City built a 26-point lead in the second quarter, aided by a 10-of-14 shooting display from 3-point range during the first half. Chet Holmgren anchored the Thunder defense with 14 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks, including a rejection of a Wembanyama runner in the second quarter. Rookie Aday Mara and Isaiah Hartenstein also contributed to a defensive scheme that utilized frequent crowds to limit Wembanyama's interior touches.

San Antonio debuted a new starting lineup featuring Wembanyama alongside Fox, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle, and Devin Vassell. Despite the loss, Wembanyama noted he felt hesitant and indecisive during the contest. The performance stood in contrast to his previous regular-season production against the Thunder, where he averaged 18.4 points on 52.4% shooting across five games last season.