Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images San Antonio faces another tough challenge in undefeated Thunder. Through three games, the San Antonio Spurs have faced the former Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks and the young and frisky Houston Rockets. The road doesn’t get much easier as they leave the state for the first time this season. The West’s best, Oklahoma City Thunder, wait just north of the Texas border. The Spurs and Thunder have developed somewhat of a rivalry recently. That’s thanks to their lanky do-it-all big men, Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren. Wembanyama got the better of Holmgren last year, but it was Chet’s team that routinely dominated San Antonio. The Thunder are one of the best rosters in the NBA that will pose another major challenge for the Spurs. San Antonio has shown it has plenty to clean up after its first three games. They haven’t been able to get Wembanyama really going yet, the turnovers are still a major issue and opposing teams have gotten good looks from deep against them. They’ll need to improve in those key areas if they want to compete with the undefeated Thunder. San Antonio Spurs (1-2) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (3-0) October 30, 2024 | 8:30 PM CT Watch: ESPN/Bally Southwest | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM) Spurs Injuries: Devin Vassell – Out (foot), Tre Jones – Out (ankle), David Duke Jr. – Out (G League), Riley Minix – Out (G League), Harrison Ingram – Out (G League) Thunder Injuries: Isaiah Hartenstein – Out (hand), Nikola Topic – Out (knee), Jaylin Williams – Out (hamstring), Kenrich Williams – Out (knee) What to watch for: Can Wembanyama bounce back? Wembanyama has struggled to find his rhythm to start the season. Based on his voice in Monday night’s post-game presser, he may be fighting an illness. While the big man is averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds, he’s shooting an inefficient 42.9% from the field and 22.2% from three while turning the ball over 3.7 times a game. He hasn’t been able to find a flow in the Spurs’ offense, and opposing physicality has forced him to take some questionable shots. Historically, Wembanyama has shown up against Holmgren. It was obvious last season that he seeks out matchups with the “rival” big. Maybe that motivation will be all he needs to get back on track in OKC. Cutting down on turnovers The Spurs already have 53 turnovers through 3 games and are averaging 17.7 giveaways per contest. It’s so hard to win when you routinely give the opponents free possessions. San Antonio has not been able to get on the same page offensively, and too many of their players are loose with the basketball. On the flip side, OKC is forcing 20.7 turnovers a game and is the best team in the NBA at generating takeaways. The Spurs must take care of the ball to have a chance on Wednesday night. Defending screens Houston and Dallas both dissected the Spurs in the screen game. Jalen Green got off to a hot start on Monday by coming off pin-downs, zoom action (pin down into a hand-off) and ball-screens to find easy looks from deep. The game-sealing shot from the Rockets came on a miscommunicated switch from Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson, which left Fred VanVleet wide open for three. Overall the Spurs have struggled to guard screening actions. Oklahoma City has so many offensive weapons that can hurt you, much like Houston and Dallas. San Antonio will need to step up its defensive game if they want to compete with the best teams in the Western Conference.