On Christmas Day, the San Antonio Spurs triumphed over the Oklahoma City Thunder with a score of 117-102, in an intense showdown between the Western Conference’s top teams. This game marked their third encounter in under two weeks.
Veteran guard De’Aaron Fox led the Spurs with a strong performance, scoring 29 points on 12-of-19 shooting. His backcourt partner, Stephon Castle, contributed 19 points, while Victor Wembaneyama came off the bench to add 19 points and 11 rebounds. Harrison Barnes and Dylan Harper combined for 27 points and nine rebounds.
Before the game, much of the discussion centered on whether the Spurs, who had already beaten the Thunder twice this season, truly deserved to be called rivals. However, San Antonio’s comeback from an early eight-point deficit with a 17-4 run, taking control and holding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 22 points on 19 shots, made it clear they were formidable opponents, securing their third win over the Thunder in less than two weeks.
For the Thunder, Jaylen Williams scored 12 points and had six assists, Chet Holmgren put up 10 points, and starting center Isaiah Hartenstein finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds. No other Thunder player scored more than 12 points.
This win extended the Spurs’ streak to eight consecutive victories (excluding the NBA Cup Finals), solidifying their spot as the Western Conference’s second-best team and positioning them as strong championship contenders heading into the new year.
San Antonio’s decision to deploy Wembanyama off the bench proved strategic, allowing their physical guards to set the tempo before introducing the 7-foot-5 French star. Despite an aggressive 2-3 zone defense, Oklahoma City struggled to contain the Spurs inside. Wenbanyama’s presence deterred drives to the rim, but the Thunder could not capitalize on their open shots, shooting only 25 percent from beyond the arc. Backup Alex Caruso, who had been shooting 32 percent from three-point range this season, missed 10 of his 12 three-point attempts.
Having lost four of their last six games, the Thunder face a crucial homestand against the 76ers, Hawks, and Blazers to end 2025 on a high note. Their next opportunity to face the Spurs will be on January 13th.
Fan Take: This series has quickly evolved into one of the most compelling rivalries in the NBA, showcasing elite talent and fierce competition. For basketball fans, it signals an exciting shift in the Western Conference landscape, with the Spurs emerging as a serious threat to the established order.
