Sochan fuels Spurs-Rockets rivalry with spicy quote ahead of Texas clash

The San Antonio Spurs are looking to bounce back tonight as they host the Houston Rockets for their home opener at Frost Bank Center. After a rough second-half collapse led to a 120-109 loss against the Dallas Mavericks, the Spurs are eager to shift their focus to their next Texas rival.

Facing Houston three times over the next 12 days, the opportunity to make a statement is here—and one player, in particular, is ready to fire things up.

Jeremy Sochan, The Destroyer, known for his energy and grit, stirred the pot at today’s shootaround when he was asked whether the players feel the same intensity in the Spurs-Rockets rivalry as the fans.

Sochan is bringing the energy rivalries deserve

For fans craving that old-school rivalry energy, Sochan’s response hit the spot. It’s a refreshing reminder of how impactful rivalries can be, especially in a league where many players have grown up together or share off-court friendships that sometimes overshadow team history.

This rivalry with Houston is one of Texas’ longest-standing basketball battles. It’s fueled by geography, by competing fan bases, and, historically, by two franchises often vying for relevance in the Western Conference—though the Spurs have dominated in the latter area more often than not over the past 25 years.

Rivalries bring a unique emotional charge to the game, a boost that makes every possession feel a little more meaningful.

Sochan’s comments show he’s not just here to play ball—he’s here to embrace what it means to wear silver and black. His fire is exactly what fans hope to see in games like these, and after a lackluster second half against Dallas, it may be just what the Spurs need to set the tone tonight.

In their loss to the Mavericks, San Antonio showed flashes of promise, leading 49-47 at halftime before things unraveled in the third quarter. Defensive lapses and turnovers mounted, and once Dallas pulled away, Coach Popovich benched the starters with six minutes to go. The Spurs can’t afford to repeat those mistakes against Houston, especially in front of their home crowd.

Tonight’s game is more than just an early-season matchup. It’s the continuation of an old tale in a storied rivalry, with fresh faces who respect the stakes.

Sochan’s statement has already set the stage for what fans hope will be an intense battle, and there’s nothing quite like an energized home crowd to elevate the Frost Bank Center's atmosphere. San Antonio’s mission is clear: defend the home court, build momentum, and show Houston that they still have some catching up to do, but it won't be happening any time soon.

Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm CT, and if Sochan’s words are any indication, the Spurs are ready to bring the fight.