Las Vegas, December 14, 2025 – Victor Wembanyama made a spectacular return from injury, coming off the bench to dominate and lead the San Antonio Spurs to a stunning 111-109 upset over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals. The victory eliminated the defending NBA Cup champions and propelled the Spurs into the championship game.
The 21-year-old superstar, sidelined for 12 games with a left calf strain, played just 21 minutes on a restriction but delivered 22 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists, and 1 steal. His +21 plus-minus was the best on the court, as San Antonio outscored OKC by 21 points whenever he was in the game.
Balanced Attack: Four Spurs Players Score 20+ Points
The Spurs’ depth shone brightly with an explosive offensive performance:
- Devin Vassell: 23 points
- De’Aaron Fox: 22 points
- Victor Wembanyama: 22 points
- Stephon Castle: 22 points
This marked a rare feat, with four players reaching 20 points in a high-stakes knockout game, overwhelming the Thunder’s defense.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 29 points, but Oklahoma City struggled with efficiency (41% FG, 24% from three), falling to 24-2 and seeing their 16-game win streak snapped.
Key Moments: Wembanyama’s Impact Shifts Momentum
OKC built a 16-point lead early, but Wembanyama’s second-quarter entry sparked a comeback. He showcased his trademark rim protection with a standout block on Chet Holmgren and drew massive cheers with offensive rebounds and scoring bursts.
The Spurs closed the half on a 13-0 run and maintained control, holding off a late Thunder rally.
Postgame, Wembanyama reflected: “Some people are built for these moments, some aren’t. We definitely are.”
Spurs Advance to NBA Cup Final
San Antonio (18-7) now faces the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup championship on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena. The young Spurs, thriving even without Wembanyama earlier (9-3 record), appear fully unleashed with their star back.
This victory over the league’s top team signals the rise of a new contender in the Western Conference.
