UPDATE: In a stunning upset, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-109 Saturday night, advancing to the NBA Cup final. This victory marks just the second loss for the Thunder this season, bringing their record to 24-2.
Victor Wembanyama made a dramatic return after a 12-game absence, scoring 22 points and grabbing nine rebounds, electrifying the crowd in Las Vegas. His performance propelled the Spurs into the finals against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.
The Thunder, who entered the game with a formidable 16-game winning streak, now face a tough reality after losing two consecutive games in Las Vegas, including last year’s final. Wembanyama’s return was highly anticipated, and he did not disappoint, receiving “M-V-P” chants from the pro-Spurs crowd.
Wembanyama, averaging 26.2 points and 12.9 rebounds this season, played under a minutes restriction but showcased his impact immediately. The Spurs rallied from a halftime deficit, ending the first half with a critical 13-point run and taking control in the third quarter with a 10-point surge that shifted the momentum.
“Wembanyama brought us the energy we needed,” said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
Teammate Devin Vassell added 23 points, while De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle each contributed 22 points. On the Thunder’s side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 29 points, but it wasn’t enough to fend off the Spurs’ surge.
This thrilling matchup underscores the stakes of the NBA Cup final, with fans eagerly anticipating how San Antonio will perform against New York. The momentum is clearly on the Spurs’ side following this crucial victory.
As the sports world watches closely, all eyes will be on the Spurs and Knicks to see who will claim the coveted NBA Cup. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
