DALLAS, TEXAS – OCTOBER 22: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to an officials call during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on October 22, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Getty Images
Not in the winner’s circle yet. The Brooklyn Nets faced the Cleveland Cavaliers in the home opener on Friday night and almost pulled off a miraculous comeback before ultimately falling short.
the opponent today has gotten off to a heck of a start. Optimism in San Antonio is through the roof as the Spurs are 2-0 after an overtime road victory against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
YES Network on TV. Gotham Sports on streaming. Tip after 2:00 p.m. ET.
No Haywood Highsmith, Drake Powell, or Danny Wolf. Cam Thomas has a nasal fracture but is available. Sounds like a mask.
No De’Aaron Fox, Luke Kornet, Kelly Olynyk, Jeremy Sochan, or Lindy Waters III.
This is the home opener for the Spurs. It should be an exciting afternoon in Texas as Spurs fans look to give the home team an extra boost as they try to establish themselves as a solid team.
For the Nets, this is the first leg of a Texas back-to-back that will take them to Houston tomorrow night to face the new look Rockets.
For Brooklyn, they’ve got to get on the same page defensively. The team has been getting torn up on that end so far and that’s just not going to fly when you’re at a talent disadvantage. The lapses on defense, inattention to details, etc. are not what this team is about… at least what they shouldn’t be about.
That will start with guard play. Brooklyn guards have to stop penetration and make sure they keep Spurs guards on the perimeter. It’ll be a tall task against Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. Harper has been one of the league leaders in drives so far, and has a lightning quick first step that allows him to get by defenders. For the Nets, they’ve got to keep Harper on the perimeter as much as possible and keep the paint clear.
Egor Dëmin had his coming out party on Friday night as he had Barclays Center on tilt in the fourth quarter. He’s looked pretty comfortable so far as a pro and the further away he gets from the foot injury, the more impressive he’ll be. Coming into the season, shooting was a point of concern, but he’s shot above expectations in this first week. If he can keep at it, he’ll provide Nets fans with a warm sense of optimism as they navigate a cold winter.
Cam Thomas mentioned that the team can’t afford to start off slow, so look for him to put his imprint on the game early. CT is the Nets’ best scorer and when he gets off to a strong start, it’ll give him a boost that can carry him through the rest of the game.
Player to watch: Victor Wembanyama
You ever see something so absurd you just laugh? That’s how I spent my Wednesday night watching Victor terrorize the Dallas Mavericks
What do you even do with this?!??!?!?! Wemby has gotten off to an astounding start and is looking like someone that will define the NBA for the next decade. One of the big talking points coming in to the season was his insistence in getting to the paint more after he explored three point range for much of last season. In the first two games of the year, the big guy has only taken five three pointers and has demolished people on the inside. On the other end, he blocked NINE shots in just 32 minutes before fouling out on Friday. Wembanyama does everything imaginable on a basketball court and the more he plays, the more he causes us to wonder how he can continue to push the boundaries of basketball. We’re in for a great show this afternoon.
Nic Claxton is gonna be in for quite the battle this evening. Clax will have to keep Wembanyama from getting great paint position on other end and provide enough resistance on the other so Vic doesn’t block ten shots tonight. Brooklyn needs more from everybody if they want to get a win, and Claxton will need to have a great game if they want to pull off the upset.
The Spurs have been blessed with generational big men across their history. Let’s turn the clock back to 1994 and watch David Robinson go to work!