After a very long and frankly boring NBA offseason, Spurs basketball is officially back. After months of antipation, Victor Wembanyama will return to court alongside a newly tailored Spurs squad ready to kick some butt.
In their first battle of the season, the Spurs will be heading to Dallas to take on Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, and the Dallas Mavericks. What a way to kick off the new season. This matchup is bubbling with excitement and full of unique storylines that will play out right in front of our eyes.
Most importantly, the Spurs will have their first crack at proving the Mavericks have no chance against their in-state rival.
May the best rookie win
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Perhaps the biggest storyline of the matchup comes between two rookies. With the first two picks in the 2025 NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper were selected and will be wasting no time in getting acquainted with each other.
Although Flagg has the extra leg up because of his spot in the starting lineup, that doesn't mean Harper will go down without a fight. As De'Aaron Fox is set to miss the opener, Harper will most certainly get his opportunity to run the offense in relief of starting point guard Stephon Castle.
Even if they don't get many possessions head-to-head, the tension will be high between the pair as they look to plant the flag, pun unintended, early in [the Rookie of the Year race.](https://airalamo.com/san-antonio-spurs-got-number-one-overall-pick-without-winning-lottery-dylan-harper) Prepare yourselves because these two will be itching to make a statement.
Victor Wembanyama will end obvious center debate
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While the rookie duel will draw the headlines, Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Davis will be the true stars of the show. Last season, the pair met three times in the regular season, and each occasion was full of electricity. In a league full of guards and wings, these big men prove the position is still alive and well.
The two big men are on two completely different sides of their careers. Davis is still relishing in a dominant decade- long career, meanwhile Wembanyama is just getting started. With that, many still believe the Brow is still the better player. Well, Vic is about to prove the doubters wrong.
Both excelling offensively and defensively, they will need to give their all to break through. Wembanyama's offseason work to improve his strength will be on full display in this grueling matchup. In the end, I think we all know who will come out on top.
Stephon Castle will get a chance to shine as starting point guard
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Due to the unfortunate timing of a hamstring injury to De'Aaron Fox, it will be up to [Stephon Castle to carry lead ball-handler duties in game one](https://airalamo.com/stephon-castle-surprising-role-start-spurs-season). Luckily for him, he's got a favorable matchup ahead of him.
The Mavericks are without their own starting point guard, Kyrie Irving, for the foreseeable future, and will also miss strong perimeter defender Dante Exum. Starting in the backcourt for Dallas will be new addition De'Angelo Russell and savvy veteran Klay Thompson. With these two as the front line of defense, Castle will be licking his chops.
Buckle your seat belts because this is going to be one hell of a season opener. Featured in a primetime spot on Wednesday, these two teams are locked and loaded, ready to put on a show for the impatient NBA fans.