Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said the Oklahoma City Thunder is "hungry" for more success after exacting a small measure of revenge on the San Antonio Spurs in their NBA season opener on Tuesday.

Gilgeous-Alexander opened his account for the 2026-27 campaign with a 32-point display as Oklahoma City scored a 116-104 win on the road over the team that eliminated the 2025 champion from last season's playoffs.

The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player admitted, though, that simply being back on the court was more important for a Thunder team determined to reclaim its crown.

"Obviously, this is the team that eliminated us from achieving our goal, but, for us, I think it was more that we're just happy to be back," Gilgeous-Alexander told NBC.

"It's a longer summer when you don't win, and we felt that this summer. So, yeah, we're just happy to be back. One of 82... we took a step in the right direction. We got to do it 81 more times and be ready for the playoffs, if we get the chance to make it."

Gilgeous-Alexander said the Thunder would carry an additional edge into the campaign after the disappointment of last season.

"This group's hungry. This group wants more. This group's not satisfied, and a little bit more so than in the past — I can feel it," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "We feel it in the building. We feel it in the facility. We want more. We want to get better every day and we'll find a way to do that this year."

San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama had 12 points, but was one for 13 from the field.

AFP