San Antonio Spurs face Kevin Durant in Austin
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Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns in 2023 in Phoenix. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs renew their Austin residency this week, squaring off Thursday against a former Longhorn great.
Why it matters: The Spurs games at the Moody Center — against the Phoenix Suns Thursday night and the Detroit Pistons Friday night — are part of the NBA franchise's concerted effort to grow its fan base and expand corporate sponsorship opportunities.
The intrigue: The matchup with the Suns marks star forward Kevin Durant's return to Austin.
- In his lone season with the Longhorns, 2006–07, he averaged 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds and was selected as college player of the year by the Associated Press.
What they're saying: "Austin is a place where I kind of started this journey, and to have so many friends and family that are still there from, what, 16, 17 years ago is pretty sweet," Durant said at an All-Star Game press conference last weekend. "So I appreciate the NBA for setting this up."
Catch up quick: The Spurs, meanwhile, are 23-29, and hope to make a playoff push in the second half of the season.
- All-universe big man Victor Wembanyama is joined by star point guard De'Aaron Fox, picked up via trade earlier this month, and rookie wunderkind guard Stephon Castle.
- The Spurs have not said when they expect a return of head coach Gregg Popovich, who has been sidelined since suffering a stroke in November.
Zoom out: As part of their brand expansion in Austin, the Spurs, in collaboration with the Austin Parks Foundation, have donated more than $500,000 since 2023 toward Play ATX, a program dedicated to renovating parks and basketball courts across Austin.
- Last Sunday, the Spurs, the Austin Parks Foundation and the Austin Parks and Recreation Department unveiled an improved basketball court and renovated playground at Davis-White Northeast Neighborhood Park.
If you go: Tickets for the games at the Moody Center start at about $90.
- The game against the Suns tips off at 8:30pm, and the game against the Pistons at 7:30pm.
What's next: As part of Spurs Week, Shakey Graves performs outside the west side of the Moody Center after tomorrow night's game in a concert that's free and open to the public.