With the Oklahoma City Thunder beating the San Antonio Spurs in the first regular-season game of the 2026-27 season on Tuesday night, 116-104, a moment involving Chet Holmgren and De'Aaron Fox has led to the basketball world talking. As Holmgren helped the Thunder keep Victor Wembanyama to a one-for-13 shooting night, he would take issue with the technical fouls that were issued.
With over nine minutes left in the second quarter, Holmgren was taken down by Fox when trying to get control of the ball coming their way, leading to players heading to the situation. It led to pushing and shoving, resulting in Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams, and Kenrich Williams getting technical fouls, which Holmgren doesn't understand.
“I appreciate my teammates having my back,” Holmgren said, via Clemente Almanza. “I’m not necessarily sure how we exactly got three technicals for a reaction to something else. I don’t totally understand that. But at the end of the day, I feel like anything you’re not willing to reciprocate is an advantage for the other team. So if they want to play physical, we have to match that, and the refs are going to do their job in keeping that within the guidelines.”
Chet Holmgren on De’Aaron Fox’s flagrant on him: “I’m not sure how we got 3 techs for a reaction to something else. I fully don’t understand that.” pic.twitter.com/APMJhulHZA
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 21, 2026
De’Aaron Fox is a foot shorter than Chet Holmgren and tossed him like it was nothing pic.twitter.com/svPTch9kr1
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 21, 2026
Spurs' De'Aaron Fox confused by Thunder's Chet Holmgren
In the Thunder's win over the Spurs, Holmgren recorded 14 points on three of eight shooting from the field, making all eight of his free throw attempts, to go along with seven rebounds and four blocks. One person who was confused by the situation was the player on the other end in Fox, admitting that he doesn't “think I'm that strong” when tossing down Holmgren.
Article Continues Below“I just tried to take a foul. I don’t think I’m that strong,” Fox said, according to The San Antonio Express-News.
“Somebody grabs you like that, and you're flying on the floor like that, you got other problems to worry about,” Fox continued. “I didn't throw him that hard, I promise you.”
At any rate, Oklahoma City will take the win, now at 1-0 record, as they look to carry the momentum into Thursday night's contest against the Denver Nuggets.