Kofi Inkoom
The NBA preseason is upon us, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are set to kick off their preparations with an exciting matchup against the San Antonio Spurs.
This preseason opener promises to be a spectacle, featuring the highly-touted prospect Victor Wembanyama, who is expected to make his NBA debut.
But the Thunder have their own reasons to be excited, as they welcome some fresh faces to the court and eagerly await the return of one of their own.
For Thunder fans, the most awaited moment of this preseason opener is undoubtedly the NBA debut of Chet Holmgren, the 2nd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Holmgren missed the entirety of the previous season due to a Lisfranc fracture, making this moment all the more special.
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His unique blend of size, agility, and basketball IQ has generated tremendous excitement, and his debut will be a defining moment for the franchise.
Holmgren isn’t the only fresh face Thunder fans will get to see in action. Cason Wallace and Keyontae Johnson, two promising talents, are also set to make their debut appearances.
Their performances will be closely watched, as they aim to prove their worth and contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming season.
Despite the excitement surrounding these debuts, the Thunder will have to contend with some notable absences in this matchup.
As we already know, Aleksej Pokusevski is sidelined for six to eight weeks due to an ankle sprain and is automatically out.
Additionally, the team will miss the talents of Vasilije Micic, a two-time EuroLeague MVP who signed with the Thunder in the offseason.
Micic’s NBA leap is highly anticipated, but fans will have to wait a little longer as he recovers from an ankle sprain.
Mark Daigneault said Vasilije Micic is OUT tomorrow, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (rest) is also OUT. Micic has a sprain and is day to day.
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) October 8, 2023
Canadian sensation Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has become a cornerstone for the Thunder, will also be absent from this preseason game as reported by Thunder media member , Rylan Stiles.
He is taking a rest, likely to manage his workload during the preseason and ensure he’s in peak form for the upcoming season.
Thunder fans can look forward to seeing him play in his home country when the team faces the Detroit Pistons in Montreal.