The San Antonio Spurs secured a commanding 117-102 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Christmas Day, notching their third win against the defending NBA champions in just two weeks and extending their winning streak to eight games. De’Aaron Fox led the Spurs with a game-high 29 points, as San Antonio shot an efficient 53.6% from the field while holding Oklahoma City to a stifling 38.9%, showcasing a potent offensive attack and tenacious defense. Victor Wembanyama added 19 points and 11 rebounds, and rookie Stephon Castle contributed 19 points and seven assists, underscoring the team’s depth and emerging talent in this high-stakes matchup.
For the Thunder, reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander managed 22 points but struggled with his shooting, making only 7 of 19 attempts, though he extended his streak to 102 consecutive games with at least 20 points. Isaiah Hartenstein posted 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Chet Holmgren added 10 points and 12 rebounds, but their efforts were insufficient against the Spurs’ relentless pressure. This loss marked Oklahoma City’s first home defeat of the season, dropping their record to 26-5, while San Antonio improved to 23-7, solidifying their hold on second place in the Western Conference standings.
Notably, the Thunder are now 0-3 against the Spurs this season but 26-2 against all other opponents, highlighting a unique and growing rivalry that has captured the attention of the basketball world. Wembanyama reflected on the intensity, saying, “This is like a playoff series,” while Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged the Spurs’ superiority, stating, “You don’t lose to a team three times in a row in a short span without them being better than you. We have to get better if we want to reach our ultimate goal.”
The game began with Oklahoma City making its first seven field goals to take an early 18-12 lead, but Fox’s 21 points in the first half fueled a Spurs comeback, giving them a 69-60 advantage at halftime. San Antonio extended the lead to 85-68 midway through the third quarter, and a dunk by Dylan Harper late in the period pushed it to 91-74, with the Spurs entering the final quarter ahead 95-79. From there, they maintained firm control, never allowing the Thunder to mount a significant challenge in the closing minutes.
This victory cements the Spurs as legitimate contenders in the Western Conference and raises questions about the Thunder’s ability to counter elite competition, especially given their recent 2-4 slide after starting the season 24-1. The teams are set to meet again on January 13 in Oklahoma City and February 4 in San Antonio, setting the stage for further clashes that could profoundly influence playoff seeding and the conference hierarchy.
Looking ahead, the Spurs will host the Utah Jazz on Saturday, while the Thunder face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday, as both squads seek to build momentum and address areas for improvement in the ongoing season. The outcome of this game not only reinforces San Antonio’s resurgence but also signals a potential shift in power dynamics within the NBA, with the Spurs emerging as a formidable force capable of challenging the league’s best.
