Top rookies Victor Wembanyama and Amen Thompson likely won’t meet in the NBA’s 2023 summer league (there is still one summer game for both the Rockets and Spurs that is unscheduled), but they will face off in a pair of 2023-24 preseason games this October.
Wembanyama, a highly touted French big man who was drafted by San Antonio at No. 1 overall in the first round, will face off against Houston’s No. 4 pick, Amen Thompson, on October 16 and 18. Both Rockets-Spurs games are at San Antonio’s AT&T Center.
While both Texas rivals are still rebuilding, the infusion of a pair of prized rookies from the 2023 draft class should add some juice to a rivalry that has lost some of its luster in recent years.
The preseason will also serve as the debut for Houston’s second first-round selection, Villanova’s Cam Whitmore, who went at No. 20. Between Wembanyama, Thompson, and Whitmore, the exhibitions should showcase 10% of the NBA’s 2023 first round.
The announcement was made as part of San Antonio’s preseason schedule release. Houston, for its part, is still finalizing its slate. The NBA will release its complete 2023-24 regular-schedule for all teams in August, complete with game times, dates, and locations.
The Spurs released their home preseason schedule. The #Rockets will take on the Spurs and Wemby on October 16th and October 18th. Both games in San Antonio.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) June 26, 2023
