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| Image Source :: Ethan Miller / Getty Images |
There was a moment late in Saturday’s NBA Cup semifinal when it really hit you: this wasn’t supposed to go like this. The San Antonio Spurs, underdogs on paper, had just snatched a dramatic 111–109 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder — a team riding a 16-game win streak and widely regarded as the early favorite to go deep in the Emirates NBA Cup.
For Spurs fans, the buzz wasn’t just about the win — it was about how it happened. And for the Thunder? This loss stings, but it doesn’t take away from what has been an outstanding season so far. ESPN
What Happened (Quick Recap)
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Final Score: San Antonio Spurs 111, Oklahoma City Thunder 109 ESPN
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This result sends the Spurs into the NBA Cup final, where they’ll face the New York Knicks. AP News
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The Thunder, still elite at 24–2, suffer just their second loss of the season. ESPN
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The game was tight down the stretch, with lead changes and clutch free throws deciding the outcome. ESPN
This was more than a result — it was a statement that the Spurs are not just here to play. And Victor Wembanyama — widely known as Wemby — was the spark plug that lit the fuse. Reuters
Victor Wembanyama: The Return That Changed the Spurs
Here’s the thing — the Spurs vs Thunder matchup took on a whole new dimension because of Wembanyama’s return.
Wembanyama had missed 12 games with a left calf strain, a notable absence for a player who averages star-level stats and shifts how defenses play. Entering this semifinal, there were questions about his status: Is Wemby playing tonight? What’s his status? How many minutes will he get? CBS Sports
The answer was a limited minutes restriction — but it didn’t matter much. He still dropped 22 points and snagged nine rebounds. Those numbers look good, but the impact went deeper:
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He scored 15 of his points in the 4th quarter when the Spurs needed them most. Reuters
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He helped flip the game’s momentum — especially after the Thunder had jumped out to a big early lead. ESPN
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This was his first game back, and he played off the bench for the first time in his NBA career, showing the Spurs are thinking creatively with his minutes. San Antonio Express-News
Bottom line: he didn’t just return — he returned with a purpose. And yes, he’s a big reason the Spurs will play in the NBA Cup final (also sometimes searched as nba cup finals or nba cup championship). AP News
Key Performers Beyond Wemby
Let’s be honest: this wasn’t a one-man show.
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Devin Vassell led the Spurs with 23 points, showing he’s become one of their most reliable wings. Reuters
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De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle each added 22 points, giving San Antonio balanced scoring that kept them competitive throughout. Reuters
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For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recorded a team-high 29 points. Reuters
So when people talk about spurs game stats or thunder game stats — these are the names that jump out. It wasn’t just Wembanyama; the bench and the role players delivered exactly when they had to. ESPN
Turning the Game Around
The Thunder led early — by as many as 16 points in the second quarter. That’s not a small lead. But in the second half, the Spurs tightened up on defense, found clean looks, and made key baskets to keep it close before the final stretch. ESPN
Here’s where spurs vs okc becomes a lesson in resilience:
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Second half defensive intensity — Spurs held the Thunder in check and forced tough looks. ESPN
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Late free throws and clutch execution — when the game was on the line, the Spurs delivered. ESPN
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Experience matters — knowing how to play through adversity in a close match is huge. Reuters
In tight games like this, it often comes down to execution down the stretch — and the Spurs had just enough edge. ESPN
What This Means for the Spurs
Let’s unpack the bigger picture.
Confidence Booster
This win is massive for San Antonio Spurs. They haven’t been title contenders for a while — but beating the defending champions (and league leaders) in a high-profile semifinal gives them belief. ESPN.com
Momentum Heading into the NBA Cup Final
Now, it’s off to the final — a matchup with the New York Knicks. That’s going to be a different animal, but the Spurs proved they can hang in pressure situations. AP News
Full Health Matters
For most of the season, they navigated without Wembanyama. Now, with him back and integrated smoothly, this team starts to feel like something special. San Antonio Express-News
What It Means for the Thunder
Here’s the rub: Oklahoma City still looks like an elite team. They’re 24–2. They still have one of the best records in the NBA. But this loss — just their second — shows even the best teams can be vulnerable. ESPN
What the Thunder need to figure out:
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How to close out games when a superstar returns from injury and shifts momentum. Reuters
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Whether this loss saps their confidence or fires them up for a deeper playoff push.
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What adjustments they’ll make as the season wears on.
They remain one of the league’s most exciting and talented teams, but this Thunder vs Spurs matchup showed that even giants can stumble. The Oklahoman
Where to Watch and What Fans Are Asking
Many fans tuning in want answers to:
Is Victor Wembanyama playing tonight? Yes — he returned in this semifinal with a minutes limit but made a huge impact. CBS Sports
Where to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs? NBA Cup games are televised nationally and streamed on major sports networks and league platforms. (Check local listings and NBA streaming options.)
What’s next? The NBA Cup final is Tuesday night — Spurs vs Knicks. AP News
Final Take
Here’s the bottom line: spurs vs thunder today wasn’t just another game. It was a crossroads moment for the Spurs — proof they can win big without flinching. The Thunder? Still elite. But this loss adds urgency and tells a story about competitiveness in the NBA’s top tier.
Whether you’re watching for Wemby highlights, tracking Spurs score trends, or following Thunder score updates, this showdown will be one people talk about all season.
References
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ESPN game recap and semifinal recap. ESPN
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Multiple NBA Cup semifinal news reports (Associated Press/Reuters). AP News+1
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Injury and return context for Wembanyama. CBS Sports
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