(Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images)
The San Antonio Spurs continued their recent mastery over the defending NBA champions, knocking off the Oklahoma City Thunder 117–102 on Thursday night at Paycom Center. It marked the third time in less than two weeks that San Antonio has beaten Oklahoma City, further solidifying the Spurs as one of the league’s hottest teams.
San Antonio Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox led the way with 29 points, setting the tone early and steadying the Spurs whenever the Thunder threatened to regain momentum. San Antonio also defeated Oklahoma City in the NBA Cup semifinal on Dec. 13 and again in San Antonio earlier this week. The two teams will meet for a fourth time on Jan. 13, once again in Oklahoma City.
The Spurs improved to 23–7 with the victory, extending their winning streak to eight games. They shot an efficient 53.6% from the field and clamped down defensively, holding the Thunder to just 38.9% shooting. The loss marked only Oklahoma City’s second home defeat of the season, reports NBC4 Washington.
Victor Wembanyama continued his strong two-way play, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Stephon Castle added 19 points and seven assists, giving San Antonio multiple offensive weapons alongside Fox. The Spurs’ balance and ball movement proved difficult for Oklahoma City to contain throughout the night.
Oklahoma City Thunder entered the game atop the Western Conference standings, with San Antonio close behind in second place. But despite that position, the Thunder have struggled against the Spurs recently, dropping all three matchups during this stretch.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points for Oklahoma City, though the reigning league MVP had an inefficient night, making just 7 of 19 shots from the field. Even so, he reached at least 20 points for the “102nd consecutive game,” underscoring his consistency despite the loss.
Isaiah Hartenstein posted a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Chet Holmgren added 10 points and 12 boards. Still, Oklahoma City lacked offensive rhythm for much of the game, particularly after the opening minutes.
The Thunder started strong, making their first seven field goals and jumping out to an 18–12 lead. Fox quickly answered, attacking the rim and controlling the pace. He scored 21 of his 29 points in the first half, helping the Spurs flip the game and head into halftime with a 69–60 advantage.
San Antonio seized full control in the third quarter. The Spurs pushed the lead to 85–68 midway through the period, consistently beating Oklahoma City down the floor and capitalizing on defensive breakdowns. A dunk by Dylan Harper late in the quarter stretched the lead to 91–74, and the Spurs entered the fourth up 95–79.
From there, San Antonio never looked back. They maintained their composure, continued to knock down shots, and limited the Thunder’s transition opportunities. Oklahoma City was unable to mount a sustained run, and the Spurs comfortably closed out the game.
The loss dropped Oklahoma City to 2–4 since opening the season with a dominant 24–1 record, including all three defeats coming against San Antonio. While the Thunder remain among the league’s elite, the Spurs have clearly emerged as a matchup problem.
With another meeting looming in January, the rivalry at the top of the Western Conference is starting to take shape. For now, San Antonio holds the upper hand, and Fox’s performance served as the latest reminder that the Spurs are no longer just contenders but a serious threat to anyone standing in their way.
