Wembanyama Returns as Spurs Stun Thunder to Reach NBA Cup Final
What unfolded in Las Vegas felt less like a midseason tournament game and more like a playoff preview that arrived early. After six weeks of NBA Cup action, the field has been narrowed down to two teams, and the San Antonio Spurs have earned their spot in dramatic fashion. In a gripping semifinal, the Spurs handed the Oklahoma City Thunder just their second loss of the season, winning 111–109 in Victor Wembanyama’s long-awaited return from injury.
The night carried plenty of weight before tip-off. Oklahoma City came in riding a 16-game winning streak and holding the league’s best record, while San Antonio was welcoming back its franchise star after a month on the sidelines with a calf strain. The stage was set for something special, and that expectation was quickly met.
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Early on, the absence of Wembanyama was clearly felt. With him sitting out the entire first quarter due to minutes restrictions, the Spurs found themselves trailing 31–20. Oklahoma City looked comfortable, moving the ball freely and attacking the paint. But once Wembanyama checked in during the second quarter, the game began to shift in noticeable ways. The floor suddenly looked different. Driving lanes tightened, shots at the rim were reconsidered, and defensive attention was forced to stretch in unfamiliar directions.
Despite playing only 21 minutes, Wembanyama’s impact was impossible to ignore. He finished with 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, but the raw numbers only told part of the story. San Antonio outscored Oklahoma City by 21 points while he was on the floor and was outscored by 19 when he sat. Every short stint changed the rhythm of the game, and the Thunder were never quite able to settle once he was involved.
The Spurs’ comeback was fueled by balance as much as brilliance. Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle, and De’Aaron Fox all matched Wembanyama with 22 or 23 points, keeping the pressure steady throughout the night. Defensively, Oklahoma City was pushed into one of its most uncomfortable performances of the season, held to just over 41 percent shooting overall and struggling badly from beyond the arc.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 29 points, but it came on a high number of attempts, and the usual efficiency wasn’t there. In the closing moments, the tension peaked as big free throws, missed chances, and a chaotic final sequence left the Spurs narrowly ahead when the clock expired.
With the win, San Antonio punched its ticket to the NBA Cup championship game, where the New York Knicks await. While the Thunder remain the league’s standard and a powerhouse for the present, this game served as a reminder that the Spurs, with a healthy Wembanyama, may be positioning themselves as a serious force for the future.
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