Victor Wembanyama Leads Spurs to NBA Cup Final Upset Over Thunder
In a thrilling NBA Cup semifinal, Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to a narrow 111-109 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. This game, held in Las Vegas, marked Wembanyama’s return after a 12-game absence due to a strained left calf.
Wembanyama’s Impact on the Game
Wembanyama scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds in just 21 minutes of play. His performance earned him “M-V-P” chants from the Spurs fans, highlighting his significant influence on the match.
- Points Scored: 22
- Rebounds: 9
- Minutes Played: 21
- Plus-Minus Rating: +21
Spurs’ Strategy and Performance
Despite being on a minute restriction, Wembanyama provided a crucial boost for the Spurs, who went 9-3 during his absence. The game saw the Spurs make a notable comeback after trailing at halftime.
Devin Vassell also shone brightly, contributing 23 points. Teammates De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle each chipped in with 22 points. The team initiated a 13-point run at the end of the first half to close the gap.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Streak Ends
The loss was only the second for the Thunder this season, ending their impressive 16-game winning streak. They had previously lost to the Portland Trail Blazers on November 5. Oklahoma City holds a 24-2 record, which is the second-best start in NBA history, just behind the Golden State Warriors’ 25-1 start in the 2015-16 season.
- Thunder’s Leading Scorer: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (29 points)
- Other Contributors: Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams (17 points each)
Upcoming NBA Cup Final
With this victory, the San Antonio Spurs advance to the NBA Cup final and will face the New York Knicks on Tuesday night. Fans are eagerly anticipating this matchup, especially after the Spurs’ thrilling performance against the Thunder.
