Spurs Triumph Over Thunder
In a commanding performance, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-106 on Wednesday night, marking their fourth victory over the reigning NBA champions this season. Keldon Johnson starred for the Spurs with 25 points, while Victor Wembanyama contributed significantly with 22 points and 14 rebounds. This win also allowed San Antonio to edge closer in the Western Conference standings, reducing the gap to five games behind the Thunder, who lead the conference with a record of 40-12.
Back-to-Back Victories
San Antonio has now secured back-to-back victories, with De’Aaron Fox adding 15 points and 10 assists, and rookie Carter Bryant matching his season high with 11 points. The Spurs took the lead early and never looked back, showcasing strong teamwork and execution on the court.
Thunder’s Struggles
In contrast, the Thunder were severely hampered by injuries, fielding only eight active players for the game. Notably absent was their star guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who missed out due to an abdominal strain. This left Oklahoma City without their regular starting lineup for the second consecutive game.
The Thunder managed a valiant effort, particularly from their frontcourt trio of Jaylin Williams, Kenrich Williams, and Aaron Wiggins, who combined for an impressive 69 points—36 of which came in the first half. Kenrich Williams led the team with 25 points, while Jaylin Williams added 24 points and 12 rebounds. Wiggins also made a notable contribution, finishing the game with 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting.
Unusual Bench Situation
In an unusual sight, by late in the third quarter, only Thunder coaching staff occupied the bench as coach Mark Daigneault prepped his three reserves to come in, with San Antonio enjoying a 90-80 advantage.
The Thunder have struggled recently, winning only three of their last seven games.
Looking Ahead
Recapping previous encounters, the Spurs had previously beaten the Thunder in their last three meetings, which included a narrow 111-109 win in the NBA Cup semifinals last December. Conversely, the Thunder claimed a 119-98 victory during their last matchup in January.
Looking ahead, the Thunder will host the Houston Rockets on Saturday, while the Spurs will travel to Dallas for their next game on Thursday.
