In a display that has the NBA buzzing, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 130-110 on Tuesday night, handing the Thunder their worst loss of the season and extending the Spurs’ winning streak to seven games-the longest active streak in the league.
Spurs’ Momentum Keeps Growing
The Spurs’ 130-110 victory over the Thunder was the seventh consecutive win, a run that has already moved San Antonio into second place in the Western Conference. The team’s record of 14-3 in the last 17 games, including wins against the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers, has seen them climb to the top of the West.
- 14 wins in 17 games
- 2nd place in Western Conference
- 7-game winning streak
The Spurs’ ability to spread scoring among multiple players is evident. Keldon Johnson poured in 25 points, Stephon Castle added 24, and Harrison Barnes contributed 20. The fourth-quarter surge-43-28 in San Antonio’s favor-shifted a game that had 15 lead changes and 13 ties into a decisive blowout.
Thunder’s Perspective on the Matchup
Despite the loss, Oklahoma City’s coach Mark Daigneault praised the Spurs for their balanced play. “They’ve got a lot of good guys, they’ve got good balance, they’re well coached. They were super sharp tonight. They played with a great sense of purpose and they executed really well,” Daigneault said.
Oklahoma City’s forward Jalen Williams echoed the sentiment, noting that the Spurs are a “really good team.” He highlighted the benefit of facing them repeatedly: “It is good we get to play them as much as we do because they’re a really good team.”
A Growing Rivalry? Coach and Players Speak
San Antonio’s head coach Mitch Johnson was quick to dismiss the idea of a budding rivalry. “I don’t view it as a budding rivalry,” Johnson said. “Our group’s been together 25-some-odd games. That team won 16 games in the playoffs (last season) to win a championship. I don’t want to disrespect their program and what they’ve built. We are trying to build something and we’re chasing every other single team in this league.”
Johnson’s comments come after a recent series of games between the two teams. The Spurs beat the Thunder 111-109 on Dec. 13 in the NBA Cup semifinals, and the teams will meet again on Thursday in Oklahoma City.
Wembanyama’s Return and Fan Engagement
The Spurs’ star 7-foot-3 center Victor Wembanyama was listed as questionable on Monday due to a strained left calf that had sidelined him for 12 games. He was cleared to play an hour before tip-off and entered the game as a sixth-time substitute since his return.
Wembanyama’s presence was a highlight of the night. He almost watched the game from the best seat in the sold-out Frost Bank Center and later introduced a new tradition for fans. The Spurs brought a large bass drum onto the court; Wembanyama, with the help of the San Antonio Jackals-his super-fan group-asked the crowd to stand, stretch their arms, and clap once after each drum thump. The tempo of the drum beats quickened, and the fans’ claps grew louder, creating a rousing atmosphere.
Harrison Barnes praised the effort: “That was phenomenal. I heard about it on the fly. That was great. He may have a career in marketing. The way he got that stadium going, that was great.”
Franchise History and the Road Ahead
The Spurs have a storied past, tying an NBA record with 22 consecutive postseason appearances that began in 1998. The franchise has since missed the playoffs for six straight seasons, but the current season has seen a dramatic turnaround.
Last year, San Antonio finished 34-48 after two consecutive 22-60 seasons, one loss shy of the franchise’s worst record of 21-61 set in 1989. This season, the Spurs began with a franchise-record 5-0 start.
Wembanyama reflected on the team’s progress: “It tells me how much better we are from the beginning of the season. We can still get much better, but it means something for sure.”
He also dismissed any talk of a rivalry with the reigning champions, adding that he knows what a real rivalry is from watching Paris Saint-Germain face Marseille in soccer.
Key Takeaways
- Spurs win 130-110, extending winning streak to seven games and moving into 2nd place in the West.
- Wembanyama returns from calf injury, scores, and launches a fan-driven drum-clap tradition.
- Thunder’s coach praises Spurs’ balance; Spurs’ coach dismisses rivalry talk.
- Franchise has rebounded from six straight playoff misses to a record-setting start.
The Spurs’ performance on Tuesday underscores a season of rapid improvement and growing fan engagement. As the team continues its winning streak and prepares for another matchup against Oklahoma City, the NBA’s attention remains firmly on San Antonio.
