Spurs Shock Thunder in NBA Cup Semifinal, Advance to Championship Showdown With Knicks

The NBA Cup semifinals delivered exactly what the league hoped for: intensity, drama, and a statement win that may echo far beyond December.

On a night that felt more like late May than early winter, the San Antonio Spurs handed the Oklahoma City Thunder just their second loss of the season, pulling off a gritty, physical victory to advance to the NBA Cup Final. With the win, San Antonio punched its ticket to Tuesday’s championship game, where it will face the New York Knicks in Las Vegas.

The Spurs didn’t just win. They announced themselves.

A Tournament Atmosphere, a Heavyweight Fight

From the opening tip, this game carried a different energy. Oklahoma City entered as one of the league’s most dominant teams, widely viewed as nearly unbeatable. San Antonio arrived as a young, ascending group still earning national respect—but clearly unconcerned with reputations.

The Thunder dominated the opening quarter, forcing turnovers, pushing the pace, and threatening to run away early. San Antonio turned the ball over repeatedly, committing nearly half of its eventual total in the first quarter alone. The Spurs trailed by double digits, and it briefly looked like the moment might be too big.

Instead, they dug in.

San Antonio stabilized in the second quarter, competing defensively even as shots refused to fall. The Spurs didn’t hang their heads, didn’t lose physicality, and didn’t abandon their identity. That resilience—often elusive for young teams—kept them within striking distance.

Then everything shifted.

A Momentum Swing That Changed the Game

Late in the first half, San Antonio closed on a decisive run, flipping the momentum entirely. That finish carried over into the third quarter, where the Spurs played with confidence, poise, and force—traits usually associated with veteran contenders.

By halftime, what had once looked like an Oklahoma City showcase had become a fight.

The Thunder, typically surgical and composed, suddenly found themselves dragged into a slower, uglier game. Their offense stalled. Outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, shots weren’t falling. Turnovers became costly instead of opportunistic.

San Antonio had succeeded in doing what few teams have managed this season: pulling Oklahoma City into the mud.

Victor Wembanyama’s Quietly Dominant Return

Much of the spotlight belonged to Victor Wembanyama, who returned after a prolonged absence and immediately altered the game’s complexion—even in limited minutes.

Wembanyama played just 20 minutes, coming off the bench and not entering until the second quarter. Yet his impact was unmistakable. In just seven first-half minutes, he posted a staggering plus-20, anchoring the defense and lifting the Spurs’ energy.

What made his performance more impressive was that it wasn’t flawless.

Wembanyama looked rushed at times, committed turnovers late, and clearly played himself back into rhythm. Still, his presence alone changed how Oklahoma City attacked the paint. Shots were altered. Driving lanes disappeared. Defensive confidence spread across the floor.

This wasn’t dominance through volume. It was dominance through influence.

Spurs Win Without Needing Perfection

San Antonio’s victory was not built on hot shooting or highlight offense. In fact, the numbers were ugly. The Spurs shot roughly 40 percent from two and struggled mightily from three.

But they won anyway.

They won because they controlled pace after the first quarter.
They won because they finished halves.
They won because they defended with physicality for 48 minutes.
They won because they trusted depth, discipline, and decision-making.

The Spurs forced Oklahoma City into an uncomfortable night—something almost no team has accomplished this season.

Stefan Castle Emerges on the Big Stage

One of the defining performances of the night came from rookie guard Stefan Castle, who played with a maturity far beyond his years.

Castle attacked the paint relentlessly, absorbed contact, made the right reads, and defended at a high level across multiple coverages. His ability to get downhill consistently bent the Thunder’s defense, opening looks for shooters and creating scoring chances even when shots weren’t falling.

Castle’s highlight moment—a spinning, instinctive 360-degree layup—symbolized the confidence and athleticism fueling San Antonio’s run. It wasn’t drawn up. It was feel, timing, and fearlessness.

More importantly, Castle helped San Antonio settle after a chaotic start. Once the Spurs found their pace, they played the rest of the game on their terms.

Clutch Growth From a Young Team

Perhaps the most telling statistic of the night didn’t appear on the box score.

San Antonio is now undefeated in clutch games over its recent stretch, a remarkable accomplishment for one of the youngest teams in the league. That trend began during Wembanyama’s absence, when the Spurs went 9–3 and were forced to rely on collective execution rather than star power.

Those lessons carried over.

Against Oklahoma City, San Antonio executed late, made free throws, defended without fouling, and closed quarters with purpose. Young teams often struggle to finish games. The Spurs are learning quickly.

Coaching, Depth, and Identity

San Antonio’s coaching staff deserves significant credit for the win. From minute management to lineup flexibility, the Spurs consistently made adjustments that kept them competitive.

Wembanyama’s limited role was intentional. The team didn’t rush him. Instead, they trusted their depth—leaning on athletic perimeter defenders, versatile wings, and downhill guards to maintain pressure.

Veteran leadership also played a role. Harrison Barnes provided steadiness, spacing, and poise. His presence allowed younger players to stay aggressive without forcing plays.

The Spurs didn’t rely on one formula. They mixed lineups, changed matchups, and adapted to Oklahoma City’s counters. That adaptability is rare for a team this young.

Thunder Stumble, But Don’t Collapse

For Oklahoma City, the loss stings—but it doesn’t erase their standing.

The Thunder still look like one of the league’s elite teams. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered another strong performance, but help was limited. On a night where secondary scorers struggled and turnovers mounted, Oklahoma City couldn’t find the rhythm that usually overwhelms opponents.

This game exposed something important: the Thunder can be beaten if their pace is disrupted and shots don’t fall. San Antonio showed the blueprint—physical defense, disciplined possessions, and patience.

What This Win Means for San Antonio

This victory could be a turning point.

Beating Oklahoma City on a national stage, in a tournament environment, with playoff-level intensity, gives San Antonio something invaluable: belief.

The Spurs didn’t fluke their way into the NBA Cup Final. They earned it through defense, toughness, and composure. They proved they can win ugly, adapt on the fly, and handle pressure.

For a franchise still early in its rebuild around Wembanyama, this moment matters.

NBA Cup Final: Spurs vs. Knicks

Now, the league is down to two.

The Spurs will face the New York Knicks in Tuesday’s NBA Cup championship game—a matchup few predicted, but one that perfectly captures the tournament’s appeal.

Anything can happen in Vegas.

For San Antonio, this run is about more than a trophy. It’s about accelerating growth, validating belief, and announcing their arrival to the rest of the league.

The Spurs aren’t coming.
They’re already here.