San Antonio Spurs fever gripped downtown Austin as supporters gathered to celebrate the opening of the NBA regular season and rally behind the franchise ahead of its I-35 Series clash against the Houston Rockets at the Moody Center.
The matchup forms part of the organization’s ongoing strategic initiative to expand its regional footprint along the Interstate 35 corridor by hosting regular season games and community gatherings across Central Texas. Throughout the week leading up to the game, the franchise organized various events across Austin to connect with its broader fan base, culminating in large pregame festivities at Scholz Garten.
Supporters arrived early in team gear, looking forward to a strong rebound performance following an opening-game loss to Oklahoma City. Fans lined up to enjoy live music from a local DJ, collect team merchandise, and participate in interactive giveaways.
Ricardo Gerarde, who traveled from North Texas for the weekend festivities, emphasized the deep-rooted loyalty the team inspires. Every year we come by, and we always leave with a handful of little neat stuff to collect throughout the years, Gerarde said, adding that he intends to maintain the tradition with his family for years to come.
Other attendees expressed unwavering dedication regardless of early-season hurdles. Chelly Bell noted that her support remains steadfast through every bump in the road. I will never give up on my team, and they haven’t given up on me either, Bell said, highlighting the intimate atmosphere of homegrown watch parties that foster a strong sense of community.
Some supporters adopted creative ways to energize the crowd and boost team momentum. Trey Cuddihy arrived dressed in habit, playfully channeling the famous Spurs Nuns who have established themselves as beloved fixtures at franchise events. We lost our season opener, so we thought, what is the best thing that we can contribute to our team? Cuddihy said. We show up as the nun, we bring the good vibes, and we make sure that we win.
The annual I-35 Series continues to draw passionate supporters from well beyond the immediate Austin metropolitan area, attracting travelers from across Texas. One attendee who drove in from Dallas noted that while traveling and collecting team memorabilia can involve significant expense, experiencing the atmosphere in person remains unmatched.
With sellout crowds expected as the franchise splits select home dates between San Antonio and Austin, supporters say the enthusiastic turnout demonstrates that the Central Texas basketball community continues to grow stronger.
