By Jeff McDonald, Staff writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-10-08 14:55:49
由生成式 AI 翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋桑德罗·马穆克拉什维利（54号）在下半场抢到一个篮板。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich)本可以轻松开启他的第28个马刺队教练季前赛，没有人会责怪他。
他本可以接受他的年轻球队已经六个月没有打过比赛，并且在第一晚不会完全做好比赛准备。他本可以意识到，周一的季前赛揭幕战结果无论如何都不会计入常规赛排名，所以他可以给他的球员们放一马。
然而，这位75岁的马刺队主教练在他球队本赛季第一场季前赛的上半场结束后，把弗罗斯特银行中心更衣室的墙皮都给剥掉了。
听到波波维奇勃然大怒，周围的人没有一个感到惊讶。
“教练就是教练，”后卫朱利安·尚帕尼(Julian Champagnie)在马刺以107-112输给雷霆后说，“他不会坐在那里看着不符合他标准的事情发生。他对我们寄予厚望，因为他知道我们能做到。”
要知道，马刺队缺少了五名关键的轮换球员，其中包括三名一旦球队全面运作就将进入首发阵容的球员。要知道，其中一名球员是超级巨星二年级生维克多·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)，在经历了一个包括在巴黎奥运会上大放异彩的繁忙夏天后，马刺队选择让他缺席季前赛揭幕战。
休赛期重要引援克里斯·保罗(Chris Paul)也因为休息而身着便装。德文·瓦塞尔(Devin Vassell)（脚伤）、扎克·科林斯(Zach Collins)（肩伤）和查尔斯·巴斯(Charles Bassey)（膝伤）也是如此。
波波维奇决心以常规赛的状态开启季前赛。在上半场结束前3分12秒内，马刺让雷霆队的杰伦·威廉姆斯(Jalen Williams)得到13分，并带着58-45的落后进入中场休息，波波维奇决定以身作则。
“他是波波，”前锋桑德罗·马穆克拉什维利(Sandro Mamukelashvili)说，“他总是很关心我们。他总是希望我们变得伟大。”
波波维奇的中场信息传递得响亮而清晰。
“当你打得不努力的时候，没有任何借口，”尚帕尼说，“下半场每个人都付出了不同的努力，这很好。但我们希望一开始就打出气势，不让他对我们大吼大叫。”
马刺将在周三主场迎战奥兰多，继续他们的季前赛赛程，这是一个很好的目标。文班亚马可能会复出，这将对球队有所帮助，因为波波维奇表示，这位卫冕最佳新秀可能会在对阵魔术队的比赛中被允许上场。
在周一的比赛结束后，波波维奇对球队表现的评价比中场休息时要克制一些。
“上下半场有很大的区别，”波波维奇说，“我认为我们打得不够强硬。我们有点跟着他们跑。下半场要好得多。”
马刺队的季前赛揭幕战带有一些……嗯，季前赛揭幕战的特征。
一年前，马刺队在俄克拉荷马城进行了一场备受期待的比赛，拉开了季前赛的序幕，在那场比赛中，文班亚马完成了他的NBA首秀，对手是同样备受瞩目的新秀切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)。周一，在弗罗斯特银行中心进行的这场比赛中，身高6英尺8英寸的杰里米·索汉(Jeremy Sochan)在中场跳球时对上了前面提到的7英尺1英寸的霍姆格伦。
霍姆格伦坚持了9分钟，然后膝盖顶到了腹部，为了安全起见，他缺席了剩下的比赛。
由于他通常的轮换阵容中有一半人缺阵，波波维奇利用这个晚上来评估那些本来会为上场时间而苦苦挣扎的球员。
值得称赞的是，尚帕尼充分利用了他的机会。
这位三年级的职业球员在他争取成为受伤的瓦塞尔的替补首发得分后卫的比赛中，狂砍全场最高的22分，并投进了6个三分球。
“我认为他是从头到尾都打得很好的人之一，”波波维奇说。
再给布雷克·韦斯利(Blake Wesley)一个比赛用球，这位三年级的后卫仍在为他的NBA生涯而战。韦斯利以7次助攻领先全队，抢断2次，并且在防守端让自己成为了一名令人讨厌的球员。
“这是一场比赛，”波波维奇说，“但他度过了一个很棒的夏天。(周一)他打得很好。”
由于文班亚马被降级为马刺队最高的啦啦队长，周一比赛最有趣的一幕是马刺队最新的乐透秀斯蒂芬·卡斯尔(Stephon Castle)的首秀。
这位身高6英尺5英寸的后卫，在康涅狄格大学被选中为第四顺位，在季前赛揭幕战后留下了大量的比赛录像供他学习。如果人们知道在哪里寻找的话，他身上也闪现着几个令人鼓舞的迹象。
首先是不好的方面：卡斯尔在比赛中出现了马刺队21次失误中的6次。
他在第三节迎来了高光时刻，当时卡斯尔在雷霆队大个子亚历克斯·杜卡斯(Alex Ducas)头上完成了一记残暴的战斧式扣篮。
对波波维奇来说，卡斯尔首秀之夜最棒的部分在于他在防守端的顽强。教练称赞卡斯尔和韦斯利是两位在这方面将影响其他球员的球员。
波波维奇说，卡斯尔比赛的其余部分会随着时间的推移而水到渠成。
“他发现，在球场的另一边是NBA的球员，”波波维奇说，“所以在康涅狄格大学的时候，那些在篮筐附近的投篮对他来说可能很容易就能投进，但在这里，有人和他一样强壮。对他来说，看到这一点真是太好了。”
总而言之，波波维奇离开弗罗斯特银行中心时的心情比中场休息时要好。
由于他们的教练已经进入了常规赛状态，马刺队的球员们都渴望效仿——即使是在季前赛。
“当你看到他是多么有动力的时候，你会想‘我们真的搞砸了，我们必须加把劲了，’”马穆克拉什维利说，“我觉得这是一个挑战，我们喜欢挑战。”
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋哈里森·英格拉姆（55号）与俄克拉荷马城雷霆队前锋奥斯曼·迪昂（13号）在圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫布兰登·波士顿（4号）和后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔（5号）面前争抢篮球。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋凯尔登·约翰逊（0号）在下半场为队友加油。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋扎克·科林斯（23号）、前锋凯尔登·约翰逊（0号）、前锋杰里米·索汉（10号）、前锋朱利安·尚帕尼（30号）和后卫特雷·琼斯（33号）在上半场坐在替补席上观看队友比赛。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫布雷克·韦斯利（14号）在上半场抢到一个篮板。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫特雷·琼斯（33号）在下半场防守俄克拉荷马城雷霆队后卫以赛亚·乔（11号）。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克多·文班亚马（1号）在下半场坐在他的新队友后卫克里斯·保罗（3号）和前锋哈里森·巴恩斯（40号）之间，面带微笑。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫布兰登·波士顿（4号）、后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔（5号）和后卫西迪·西索科（25号）在赛前奏国歌时低头致敬。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋朱利安·尚帕尼（30号）在赛前奏国歌时望向观众。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫特雷·琼斯（33号）在比赛开始前坐在替补席上。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋朱利安·尚帕尼（30号）在被宣布为首发球员后跑上球场。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋哈里森·巴恩斯（40号）被宣布为首发球员。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋杰里米·索汉（10号）被宣布为首发球员。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋杰里米·索汉（10号）在被宣布为首发球员后冲上球场。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫德文·瓦塞尔（24号）和圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋杰里米·索汉（10号）在比赛开始前握手。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克多·文班亚马（左）和其他坐在替补席上的马刺队球员在圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋杰里米·索汉（10号）在上半场投进三分球后欢呼。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫克里斯·保罗（3号）、维克多·文班亚马（1号）和德文·瓦塞尔（24号）在下半场观看队友比赛。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫特雷·琼斯（33号）在上半场跳投。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋扎克·科林斯（中）坐在替补席上观看上半场比赛。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫克里斯·保罗（3号）、维克多·文班亚马（1号）和德文·瓦塞尔（24号）在上半场观看队友比赛。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋桑德罗·马穆克拉什维利（54号）在上半场将球传给布雷克·韦斯利。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫布雷克·韦斯利（14号）在上半场被俄克拉荷马城雷霆队后卫亚历克斯·卡鲁索（9号）防守。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫布雷克·韦斯利（14号）在上半场抢到一个篮板。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫布雷克·韦斯利（14号）在上半场突破俄克拉荷马城雷霆队后卫亚历克斯·卡鲁索（9号）的防守。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫特雷·琼斯（33号）在上半场绕过俄克拉荷马城雷霆队中锋以赛亚·哈尔滕施泰因（55号）突破。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋哈里森·巴恩斯（40号）在上半场带球冲向篮筐，俄克拉荷马城雷霆队前锋杰伦·威廉姆斯（8号）防守他。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫特雷·琼斯（33号）和俄克拉荷马城雷霆队后卫亚伦·维金斯（21号）在下半场争抢一个地板球。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫西迪·西索科（25号）在下半场防守俄克拉荷马城雷霆队前锋狄龙·琼斯（3号）。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队主教练格雷格·波波维奇在下半场与圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔（5号）交谈。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫布雷克·韦斯利（14号）在下半场从俄克拉荷马城雷霆队前锋亚当·弗拉格勒（14号）手中抢走球。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋凯尔登·约翰逊（0号）对后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔（5号）在下半场的扣篮做出反应。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，俄克拉荷马城雷霆队前锋马莱维·莱昂斯（17号）在下半场从圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫斯蒂芬·卡斯尔（5号）和圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫西迪·西索科（25号）头上跳投。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫西迪·西索科（25号）在下半场跳投。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克多·文班亚马（1号）和前锋哈里森·巴恩斯（40号）在下半场观看队友比赛时交谈。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，俄克拉荷马城雷霆队前锋马莱维·莱昂斯（17号）在下半场从圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫马拉基·弗林（18号）和圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫布兰登·波士顿（4号）头上跳投。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫克里斯·保罗（3号）、中锋维克多·文班亚马（1号）、前锋哈里森·巴恩斯（40号）和前锋凯尔登·约翰逊（0号）在下半场观看队友比赛时交谈。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋哈里森·英格拉姆（55号）在下半场突破俄克拉荷马城雷霆队的防守，冲向篮筐。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队后卫马拉基·弗林（18号）在下半场对阵俄克拉荷马城雷霆队时，在完成上篮后做出反应。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
10月7日，德克萨斯州圣安东尼奥，在周一于弗罗斯特银行中心进行的NBA季前赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋莱利·米尼克斯（27号）、前锋哈里森·英格拉姆（55号）和后卫布兰登·波士顿（4号）在下半场打球。马刺队以107-112的比分输给了雷霆队。
点击查看原文：Gregg Popovich to preseason Spurs: Get physical
Gregg Popovich to preseason Spurs: Get physical
San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) recovers a loose ball in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
Gregg Popovich could have chosen to ease into his 28th preseason as the coach of the Spurs, and nobody would have blamed him.
He could have accepted that his young team had not played in six months and wasn’t going to be quite game-ready the first night out. He could have realized the outcome on Monday’s exhibition opener didn’t count in the standings anyway and given his players a pass.
Instead, the Spurs’ 75-year-old head coach spent the first halftime of the team’s first preseason game of the year peeling the paint off the Frost Bank Center locker room walls.
Nobody within earshot was surprised to hear Popovich go apoplectic.
“Coach is coach,” guard Julian Champagnie said after the Spurs fell 112-107 to the Thunder. “He’s not going to sit there and watch something that’s not up to his standards. He expects a lot out of us, because he knows we can give it to him.”
Never mind the Spurs were without five key rotation players, including three who are ticketed for the starting lineup once the full operation gets up and running. Never mind one of those players was superstar sophomore Victor Wembanyama, who the Spurs chose to sit out of the exhibition opener after a busy summer that included a star turn at the Paris Olympics.
Key offseason addition Chris Paul remained in street clothes for rest. So too did Devin Vassell (foot), Zach Collins (shoulder) and Charles Bassey (knee).
Popovich was determined to open the preseason in regular-season form. After the Spurs gave up 13 points in the span of 3:12 to OKC’s Jalen Williams to close the first half, and carried a 58-45 deficit into the halftime locker room, Popovich decided to lead by example.
“He’s Pop,” forward Sandro Mamukelashvili said. “He always cares. He always wants us to be great.”
Popovich’s halftime message came through loud and clear.
“There’s no excuse for it when you’re not playing hard,” Champagnie said. “The second half had a different effort from everybody, which is good. But we want to come out and not have him scream at us.”
That is as good a goal as any as the Spurs resume their preseason schedule Wednesday at home against Orlando. It will help to possibly have Wembanyama back, as Popovich said the reigning Rookie of the Year is likely to be cleared to face the Magic.
After Monday’s game, Popovich was a bit more measured in his assessment of his team’s play than he was at halftime.
“There was a big difference between the first and second (halves),” Popovich said. “I thought we weren’t very physical. We kind of followed them around. The second half was much better.”
The Spurs’ preseason opener came with some of the trappings of, well, a preseason opener.
A year after the Spurs tipped off the preseason with a much-anticipated game at Oklahoma City – which featured Wembanyama making his NBA debut against fellow ballyhooed rookie Chet Holmgren – Monday’s rematch at the Frost Bank Center began with the 6-foot-8 Jeremy Sochan jumping center court against the aforementioned 7-1 Holmgren.
Holmgren lasted nine minutes before taking a knee to the breadbasket and sat the rest of the game out of an abundance of caution.
With half his usual rotation sidelined, Popovich used the night to evaluate players who otherwise would be scrapping for minutes.
Credit Champagnie in making the most of his opportunity.
The third-year pro pumped in a game-high 22 points and sank six 3-pointers in his bid to open the season as the starting shooting guard in the place of the injured Vassell.
“I thought he was one of the guys who played well all the way around,” Popovich said.
Give another game ball to Blake Wesley, a third-year guard still fighting for his NBA career. Wesley led the team with seven assists, grabbed a pair of steals and generally made himself a pest on the defensive end.
“It’s one game,” Popovich said, “but he’s had a great summer. He played well (Monday).”
With Wembanyama relegated to the role of the Spurs’ tallest cheerleader, the most interesting aspect of Monday’s proceedings involved the debut of the Spurs’ latest lottery pick, Stephon Castle.
The 6-foot-5 guard, selected fourth overall out of Connecticut, left the exhibition opener with plenty of game tape to study. He also flashed several encouraging signs, if one knew where to look for them.
First the bad: Castle finished with six of the Spurs’ 21 turnovers.
His highlight reel moment came in the third quarter, when Castle unleashed a vicious tomahawk dunk atop the head of Thunder big man Alex Ducas.
For Popovich, the best part of Castle’s introductory night involved his tenacity on defense. The coach praised Castle and Wesley as a pair of players whose attitude on that end will rub off on others.
The rest of Castle’s game will come along in time, Popovich said.
“He figured out that those are NBA guys on the other side,” Popovich said. “So sometimes those shots at the rim were probably going down for him at UConn, and here there’s somebody there that is just as strong as him. It’s great for him to see that.”
All in all, Popovich left the Frost Bank Center in a better mood than he was at halftime.
With their coach already in regular-season form, Spurs players are eager to follow suit – even in the preseason.
“When you come in a see how driven he is, it’s like ‘We’re really messing up and we’ve got to step it up,” Mamukelashvili said. “I feel like it’s a challenge, and we love challenges.”
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Ingram (55) and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Ousmane Dieng (13) fight for the ball in front of San Antonio Spurs guard Brandon Boston Jr. (4) and guard Stephon Castle (5) during the second half of a pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) cheers on his teammates in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs forward Zach Collins (23), forward Keldon Johnson (0), forward Jeremy Sochan (10), forward Julian Champagnie (30) and guard Tre Jones (33) watch their teammates from the. Bench in the first half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Blake Wesley (14) pulls down a rebound in the first half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones (33) guards Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (11) in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) smiles as he sits between his new teammates guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs guard Brandon Boston Jr. (4), guard Stephon Castle (5) and guard Sidy Cissoko (25) bow their heads as the National Anthem plays before the start of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) looks toward the crowd as the National Anthem plays before the start of the pre-season NBA match-up against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones (33) sits on the bench before the start of the pre-season NBA match-up against the against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) runs onto the court as he is announced as a starter in the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) is announced as a starter in the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) is announced as a starter in the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) rushes onto the court as he is announced as a starter in the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) and San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) shake hands before the start of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, left, and the rest of the Spurs bench cheer after a San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) three-pointer in the first half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3), Victor Wembanyama (1) and Devin Vassell (24) watch their teammates take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones (33) makes a jump shot in the first half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs forward Zach Collins, center, watches the first half of the pre-season NBA match-up between the Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder from the bench at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3), Victor Wembanyama (1) and Devin Vassell (24) watch their teammates take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili (54) throws the ball to Blake Wesley during the first half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Blake Wesley (14) is guarded by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the first half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Blake Wesley (14) pulls down the rebound in the first half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Blake Wesley (14) drives past Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) in the first half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones (33) drives around Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) in the first half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) drives towards the net as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) guards him in the first half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas.
San Antonio Spurs guard Tre Jones (33) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins (21) fight for a loose ball in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs guard Sidy Cissoko (25) guards Oklahoma City Thunder forward Dillon Jones (3) in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talks to San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs guard Blake Wesley (14) keeps the ball away from Oklahoma City Thunder forward Adam Flagler (14) in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) reacts to a dunk made by guard Stephon Castle (5) in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Malevy Leons (17) shoots over San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) and San Antonio Spurs guard Sidy Cissoko (25) in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs guard Sidy Cissoko (25) goes up for a shot during the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) and forward Harrison Barnes (40) talk as they watch their teammates take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of a pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Malevy Leons (17) goes up for a shot over San Antonio Spurs guard Malachi Flynn (18) and San Antonio Spurs guard Brandon Boston Jr. (4) in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3), center Victor Wembanyama (1), forward Harrison Barnes (40) and forward Keldon Johnson (0) talk as they watch their teammates take on the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of a pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Ingram (55) drives to the net through a sea of Oklahoma City Thunder defense in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs guard Malachi Flynn (18) reacts after making a layup against the against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
San Antonio Spurs forward Riley Minix (27), forward Harrison Ingram (55) and guard Brandon Boston Jr. (4) play in the second half of the pre-season NBA match-up against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Frost Bank Center on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs fell to the Thunder, 112-107.
By Jeff McDonald, Staff writer, via San Antonio Express-News