The San Antonio Spurs came out on top of the Oklahoma City Thunder in a nail-biting finish to their Emirates NBA Cup matchup, securing a ticket to the tournament finals, snapping their neighbor’s 16-game win streak, and handing OKC its second loss of the season.
The matchup felt like an intense playoff duel, with both teams healthy and marking the return of Victor Wembanyama. Will the Spurs–Thunder become the next big rivalry in the NBA?
Spurs Upset Reigning Champs in Wembanyama’s Return
With $50,000 for every player on the line and bragging rights as an in-season tournament champion, everyone wants to win the NBA Cup—and so did the Spurs and Thunder. Both Texas teams are having a fantastic 2025–26 campaign, and seeing them head-to-head in an NBA Cup semifinals game felt more like a Western Conference playoff matchup.
OKC rolled into the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas holding its franchise-best 16-game win streak and tying the 2015–16 Golden State Warriors for the best start in NBA history through 25 games. However, despite winning the championship the season before and having the reigning MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder proved human after all when facing “The Alien,” Victor Wembanyama.
Wemby had just made his return after being sidelined for a month due to injury, and it was worth the wait. Although he sat out throughout the first quarter and was dealing with a minutes restriction, Wembanyama still made a huge impact in his first game back since November 15. The 21-year-old superstar posted 22 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks in just 21 minutes of play. However, this terrific victory was also due to Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and De’Aaron Fox playing well against one of the best defensive teams in the league. The three starters combined for 67 points.
What’s even more impressive is that this was the first time Wembanyama, Fox, Castle, and Harper played together on the floor.
The Thunder were not slacking, but their shooting from long range went cold against the Spurs. Oklahoma made just nine of 37 attempts from three-point range (24.3%). The Thunder, now 24–2, absorbed a major blow with their second loss of the season but still own the best record in the league and are vying to break the Warriors’ regular-season 73–9 win–loss record.
Wembanyama Versus Holmgren Will Be an Era-Pivoting Battle for Years to Come
Imagine seeing a 7-foot-5 big man go one-on-one against another seven-footer, while both players move like guards with incredible handles and a deep arsenal of shot creation. Ten years ago, that would have looked like a fever dream, but in today’s NBA, it is reality—especially when you watch the Spurs take on the Thunder.
Every time Wembanyama isolates against Holmgren, you can hear the oohs and aahs in the crowd. While it seems that the French center almost always gets the upper hand, the former Gonzaga standout does not back down. It already looks like a real rivalry in the making—a marquee matchup for years to come and a duel we will likely see for the next decade, something that could rival the Warriors–Cavaliers or Lakers–Celtics clashes in NBA history.
