Victor Wembanyama made an immediate impact in his return Saturday night, scoring 22 points as the San Antonio Spurs edged the Oklahoma City Thunder 111–109 to advance to the NBA Cup final at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The victory snapped Oklahoma City’s 16-game winning streak and handed the Thunder just their second loss of the season.
Wembanyama, playing for the first time in 12 games after a strained left calf, added nine rebounds and finished with a plus-21 rating in only 21 minutes. The Spurs were energized by his presence from the moment he checked in, with the pro-San Antonio crowd responding loudly throughout his stints on the floor.
San Antonio improved to 18–7 and earned a matchup with the New York Knicks in Tuesday night’s NBA Cup final. The Spurs had gone 9–3 during Wembanyama’s absence but looked different offensively and defensively with their centerpiece back in the rotation.
Devin Vassell led all Spurs scorers with 23 points, while De’Aaron Fox and rookie Stephon Castle each added 22. The trio provided consistent perimeter pressure that complemented Wembanyama’s interior scoring and rim protection.
Oklahoma City entered the night with a 24–1 record and the league’s longest active winning streak. The Thunder also carried the weight of recent history in Las Vegas, where they lost last season’s NBA Cup final to Milwaukee.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced Oklahoma City with 29 points on 12-of-23 shooting, but he committed five turnovers under sustained defensive pressure. Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams contributed 17 points apiece, though the Thunder struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 9-of-37 from 3-point range.
The Thunder controlled the early tempo and led 31–20 after the first quarter. San Antonio steadied itself in the second period and closed the half on a 13-point run to stay within striking distance despite trailing at the break.
The Spurs took control in the third quarter with a 10-point run that pushed them ahead 62–56. That surge set up a tight fourth period defined by half-court execution and defensive stops on both ends.
Wembanyama’s efficiency stood out despite a minutes restriction, as he scored 22 points on 6-of-11 shooting and drew multiple fouls in the paint. He entered the game averaging 26.2 points and 12.9 rebounds, and his presence altered Oklahoma City’s offensive spacing throughout the second half.
San Antonio finished with a 52–51 rebounding edge and converted 24-of-32 free throws, which proved decisive in a two-point game. The Spurs will now turn their attention to New York, while Oklahoma City returns home to host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
