The San Antonio Spurs have turn into a significant issue.
On Thursday, the Spurs (23-7, second in Western Convention) celebrated Christmas Day with a 3rd win in 13 days over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (26-5, first in Western Convention), who had been beforehand practically unbeatable throughout a 24-1 begin earlier than discovering their kryptonite.
San Antonio Spurs may very well be group to beat in Western Convention after third 2025-26 win over Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder
San Antonio defeated the defending champion Thunder, 117-102, solidifying itself as the largest menace to Oklahoma Metropolis’s reign. The Thunder went 68-14 a season in the past and tied the report for greatest 25-game begin to a season in league historical past earlier this month.
Oklahoma Metropolis was a freight practice, however San Antonio’s eye-opening three wins have altered the Western Convention panorama. The Spurs may be the captain now.
Their three-game win streak over the Thunder is much more spectacular contemplating star heart Victor Wembanyama, has come off the bench every time after getting back from a calf damage that price him 12 video games.
On Thursday, the Spurs had been led by level guard De’Aaron Fox, who had a game-high 29 factors. Wembanyama had a double-double in 26 minutes, recording 19 level and 11 rebounds. Arguably most spectacular, nevertheless, was guard Stephon Fortress, who was an environment friendly 8-of-11 from the court docket whereas scoring 19 factors however had his largest influence defending guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The 2024-25 league MVP was 7-of-19 on his discipline purpose makes an attempt, posting his worst capturing share (36.8 p.c) of the season.
The Thunder have excelled at creating turnovers this season, with opponents averaging a NBA-high 18 per recreation getting into Thursday. Nevertheless, the Spurs have been nice at defending possession, notably within the final two video games.
Per NBA.com, the Thunder lead the league in factors off turnovers (25 per recreation), however on Thursday, they solely scored 13 off 13 turnovers. Total, San Antonio is averaging 13.7 turnovers per recreation in its three video games in opposition to Oklahoma Metropolis.
The Spurs’ means to chip away on the margins has leveled the enjoying discipline, and the outcomes converse for themselves. San Antonio has confirmed itself to be each bit Oklahoma Metropolis’s equal, if no more.
