Spurs Extend Streak, Defeat Thunder for Third Straight Time
The San Antonio Spurs commemorated the Christmas season not solely through a victory but also by delineating themselves as the emerging leaders of the Western Conference. In a critical holiday rematch, the Spurs decisively defeated the top-ranked Oklahoma City Thunder by a margin of 15 points, inflicting only their second home defeat of the season and extending San Antonio's winning streak to eight games. This occasion was notably significant, as it represented the third triumph within two weeks over the defending champions. Furthermore, it interrupted the Thunder's 14-game home winning streak and advanced San Antonio's prospects of securing the top seed in the Western Conference.
The Spurs Blueprint: Solving the Thunder
Any lingering doubts about how De’Aaron Fox fits into the Spurs' system were put to rest in a loud city. Fox dominated the game, leading the team with 29 points on 12 of 19 shooting. More than just scoring, he set the game's pace, repeatedly breaking through OKC's tough perimeter defense to score at every level, keeping the Spurs composed even during the Thunder's brief fourth quarter rally. His role as a key offensive driver allows the Spurs' young stars to settle into more natural roles. Additional valuable minutes from new signee and former Celtic Luke Kornet gave Victor Wembanyama enough rest. Wembanyama, coming off the bench, scored over 20 points and performed almost flawlessly on offense, helping secure the victory.
A Power Shift in the Western Conference
The Thunder still hold the top record in the West, but the Spurs are quickly closing the gap. Notably, the Spurs have swept the season series 3-0 against the defending regular-season champions. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, the only Thunder with 20 plus, also had six rebounds with four assists. Spurs now have an eight-game winning streak and a roster that appears deeper and more disciplined than in recent years. San Antonio is no longer just a team of the future; they are a serious championship contender now. Shooting over 50% in this game behind double double to close the victory. They also leveraged their size, their newly emerged star backcourt, and a disciplined defense to suggest that the pathway to the Western Conference Finals could very well go through San Antonio.
