Leonard's career-high 32 not enough as Spurs fall to Thunder in thriller

Two Western Conference heavyweights squared off in a hotly anticipated season opener Wednesday night, and the game did not disappoint, as the Oklahoma City Thunder edged the San Antonio Spurs in a barn-burner, 112-106.

There was no shortage of intrigue coming in. It was LaMarcus Aldridge's first game as a Spur, Kevin Durant's return to regular-season basketball for the first time in over eight months, and Billy Donovan's NBA coaching debut.

But it was the game's most soft-spoken star who ended up stealing the spotlight.

Kawhi Leonard was a monster at both ends. On defense, he seemed to be everywhere at once, giving Durant little in the way of airspace and forcing him into an ugly 6-for-19 shooting performance.

At the other end, he scored in every way imaginable - on jumpers, floaters, post-ups, and driving layups. He bailed the Spurs' offense out time and again, and ultimately finished with a career-high 32 points on 13-of-22 shooting (no other Spur had more than 11). He added eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks for good measure.

In the end, it wasn't enough. Though the Spurs kept their noses ahead for the majority of the game and entered the fourth quarter with a five-point edge, the Thunder came roaring to life in the final frame behind Russell Westbrook, who was at his careening, chaotic, diabolical best all game long.

After back-to-back buckets from Dion Waiters (seriously) turned a two-point deficit into a two-point Thunder lead, Westbrook put the game out of reach with a contested corner three, and then iced things with two late free throws. He finished with a game-high 33 points (on 12-of-23 shooting) and 10 assists, more than making up for Durant's off night, and helping Donovan notch win No. 1.

Aldridge, meanwhile, struggled in his San Antonio debut. The Spurs were slow to recognize him in spots, and he seemed to disappear down the stretch. He forced some things when he did get the ball. It looked, perhaps predictably, like a work in progress.

Knowing the Spurs, they probably aren't sweating it.