Thunder view rare defeat as valuable lesson after Spurs halt 16-game streak
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LAS VEGAS — The Oklahoma City Thunder absorbed only their second setback of the season on Saturday, falling 111-109 to the San Antonio Spurs in an NBA Cup semifinal at T-Mobile Arena and ending a franchise-record 16-game winning streak.
Despite the disappointment, locker-room moods remained light. Veteran players jokingly scolded injured rookie Thomas Sorber for not stocking towels on time, warning that he would have to spin the team’s “Wheel of Fortune” at the practice facility for an extra chore.
Early control slips away
Oklahoma City (24-2) appeared in command after building a 16-point cushion late in the second quarter, but San Antonio closed the half within three and seized the lead with a 10-0 burst in the third. Head coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged that the Spurs “outplayed us tonight” and deserved the win.
Wembanyama’s return powers Spurs
San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama, coming off a 12-game absence due to a left calf strain, sat out the first quarter under a minutes restriction yet finished with 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes. The Spurs were plus-21 while he was on the floor.
Thunder seek growth
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points but committed a season-high five turnovers. The All-NBA guard called the loss “exciting” for its teaching value, noting that Oklahoma City faces San Antonio twice in its next five games. “Losing is where you find growth,” he said.
Forward Jalen Williams echoed that sentiment, pointing to the club’s 24-2 mark as motivation to improve rather than relax. Big man Chet Holmgren described the team as “eager and excited” to dissect film and address offensive stagnation against Wembanyama’s rim protection.
Final possession controversy
The Thunder nearly forced overtime when Alex Caruso’s tip attempt of Williams’ intentionally missed free throw bounced off at the horn. Several players believed there was contact, but Daigneault declined to critique officiating, saying, “No one wants to hear that.”
Oklahoma City had fielded its preferred starting lineup for the first time since winning Game 7 of last season’s NBA Finals and had matched the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors for the best 25-game start in league history at 24-1 before Saturday’s defeat.
Source: ESPN
