Spurs and Victor Wembanyama end the Thunder’s winning streak and go to the NBA Cup final

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-109 on Saturday night in Las Vegas to secure a berth in the NBA Cup final. Victor Wembanyama, who had returned from a calf injury, scored 15 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter.

San Antonio handed the Thunder their second defeat in 26 games this season, with Devin Vassell scoring 23 points and De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle scoring 22 each.

On Tuesday night, the Spurs will take on the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup final. In the other semifinal, the Knicks defeated the Orlando Magic 132-120 earlier on Saturday.

The Thunder’s 16-game winning streak was ended, although Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 29 points for the team. Since Nov. 5 at Portland, Oklahoma City had not suffered a defeat.

Wembanyama was only allowed to play 20 minutes when he returned from a 12-game absence. When Wembanyama was playing, San Antonio outscored the Thunder by 21 points and he pulled down nine rebounds.

Oklahoma City scored 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals from Jalen Williams, and 17 points from Chet Holmgren. Isaiah Hartenstein scored ten points and pulled down nine boards, while Alex Caruso finished with eleven points, eight rebounds, and three steals off the bench.

Gilgeous-Alexander dunk with 14.9 seconds remaining to bring the Thunder within 106-105.

Castle gave San Antonio a three-point advantage with two free throws left in 9.8 seconds. The Spurs led 111-108 with 3.3 seconds remaining after Vassell converted two free throws after the Thunder closed the gap to one once more.

With one and a half seconds remaining, Williams was fouled and made the first free throw. He deliberately missed the second, but Caruso’s follow flew past the basket.

Gaining victory for the 18th time in 25 games this season, the Spurs made 41.1% of their field-goal tries, including 13 of 42 from behind the arc.

Oklahoma City only made 9 of 37 3-pointers and had a 41.3% field goal percentage.

With 8:45 remaining in the third quarter, Fox’s basket gave the Spurs their first lead, 57–56.

With 7:58 left, Vassell’s three put San Antonio ahead 6–0, capping a 10-0 rampage.

As the final stanza began, San Antonio led 78-77 thanks to two free throws from Fox with 0.1 seconds remaining.

Caruso’s shot with 6:47 left gave the Thunder a 93-90 lead after the Spurs had led 5 points in the fourth quarter.

Oklahoma City surged out to a 14–4 lead early on and finished the first session with a 31–20 boost.

When Wembanyama made his debut in the second quarter, the Spurs embarked on a 9-2 run right away.

The Thunder went on a 14-2 run later in the quarter, and with 3:53 remaining in the first half, Caruso’s basket gave them a 47-31 advantage.

San Antonio trailed 49-46 at the half after scoring 11 consecutive points.