UPDATE: The San Antonio Spurs stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder with a thrilling 111-109 victory Saturday night, propelling them into the NBA Cup final. In his highly anticipated return after a 12-game absence, Victor Wembanyama delivered a spectacular performance, scoring 22 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
Wembanyama’s presence was pivotal, igniting the Spurs and halting the Thunder’s impressive 16-game winning streak. This marked Oklahoma’s second loss of the season, bringing their record to 24-2, just shy of the 25-1 start by the Golden State Warriors in the 2015-16 season.
Fans erupted in cheers as Wembanyama, nicknamed “Wemby,” showcased his skills, receiving “M-V-P” chants from the pro-Spurs crowd. With a remarkable plus-21 rating in just 21 minutes of play, he made an immediate impact, even while on a minutes restriction due to a prior calf strain.
The Spurs now advance to face the New York Knicks in the final on November 28, 2023. The stage is set for an electrifying showdown after the Knicks secured their place by defeating the Orlando Magic.
Oklahoma’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led his team with 29 points, while Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams contributed 17 points each. Despite their efforts, the Thunder struggled to regain momentum in the face of the Spurs’ relentless attack.
The game took a pivotal turn as San Antonio closed the first half with a stunning 13-point run, shifting the momentum. They maintained their lead through the third quarter, utilizing a critical 10-point run that set the tone for a nail-biting finish.
This victory is particularly sweet for the Spurs, who had gone 9-3 during Wembanyama’s absence. His return not only revitalized the team but also reignited hope among fans who rallied behind their star player.
As the Spurs gear up for the final against the Knicks, all eyes will be on Wembanyama, whose performance has already made waves this season with an average of 26.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game.
The NBA world is buzzing with anticipation for Tuesday night’s showdown, as the Spurs aim to capture the title that eluded them last season. Stay tuned for updates and highlights from the final!
