Emerging Spurs-Thunder Showdown Offers Glimpse of Western Conference Future
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Las Vegas — Victor Wembanyama’s roar inside T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 13 might become an enduring image of a new Western Conference duel. The San Antonio Spurs’ 7-foot-4 rookie grabbed a late rebound, flexed atop the mid-court trophy logo and sealed a 117-114 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinal, ending the defending champions’ 16-game winning streak.
Chet Holmgren, Wembanyama’s longtime counterpart since their 2021 FIBA Under-19 title game clash, had just missed the first of two free throws with eight seconds left. The misfire effectively booked San Antonio’s spot in the tournament final and intensified a matchup already fueled by personal history, geographic proximity and youthful star power.
Thunder eye quick rematches
Oklahoma City, which opened the season 24-1 to match the best start in league history and became the second-youngest club ever to win a championship last June, will face San Antonio three more times within a month. The stretch begins Tuesday in the Alamo City and continues Christmas Day at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN before another meeting in mid-January.
“They’re young, really good, have a lot of talent,” reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said after the Cup loss. “Anything can happen in a couple of years, so yeah, a rivalry is definitely possible.”
Spurs’ new core takes shape
San Antonio’s rebuild centers on three recent top-four selections: Wembanyama, point guard Stephon Castle and combo guard Dylan Harper. None has appeared in the postseason for the Spurs, yet the group topped the Thunder on the biggest stage of Wembanyama’s brief NBA tenure. In the locker room, Keldon Johnson celebrated by blasting Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” from a portable speaker.
Head coach Gregg Popovich’s current roster evokes memories of the Tim Duncan–Tony Parker–Manu Ginóbili era that delivered five titles. Club officials insist the trio of Wembanyama, Castle and Harper will remain intact for the foreseeable future, avoiding the abrupt shake-up that saw Dallas trade Luka Dončić months after eliminating Oklahoma City in the 2024 West semifinals.
History of near-missed showdowns
The Spurs and Thunder have met three times in postseason play since the franchise relocated from Seattle, with Oklahoma City winning series in 2012 and 2016 to post a 10-8 playoff record against San Antonio. In their most recent clash, the 2016 West semifinals, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Steven Adams combined for 80 points in a 113-99 Game 6 victory that sent the Spurs home and preceded Duncan’s retirement two months later.
“Pure and ethical basketball” remark draws attention
After the Cup semifinal, Wembanyama described the Spurs’ approach as “pure and ethical basketball,” prompting questions about whether he was criticizing Oklahoma City’s physical defense or Gilgeous-Alexander’s knack for drawing fouls. Two days later, the rookie clarified that he was referencing San Antonio’s tactically “old-school” style and denied directing shade at the Thunder.
Wembanyama downplayed talk of an official rivalry, noting, “They’re in their own tier right now,” but added he would welcome the challenge once the Spurs reach that level. Castle echoed the sentiment, saying the semifinal win demonstrated San Antonio’s maturity and ability to compete with any opponent.
Whether the rivalry fully materializes remains to be seen, but the upcoming three-game set should offer an early glimpse of how the West’s next power struggle might unfold.
Source: ESPN
