Giant Killers: San Antonio Handles OKC Again with Christmas Rematch Looming

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In a battle between the Western Conference’s top two heavyweights, the San Antonio Spurs made a resounding statement last night, dismantling the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 130–110 at the Frost Bank Center.

The victory was the Spurs’ seventh in a row and their second win over the Thunder in just ten days, following their narrow upset in the NBA Cup semifinals. Here is a breakdown of how San Antonio handed the league-leading Thunder their most lopsided loss of the season.

The Lead Story: San Antonio’s Second-Half Surge

For much of the first half, the game lived up to its billing as a “clash of titans.” The two teams traded punches through 15 lead changes and 13 ties, with Oklahoma City holding a narrow 60–58 lead at the break.

However, the third quarter belonged to the Spurs. Led by the bench scoring of Keldon Johnson and the poise of rookie Stephon Castle, San Antonio ignited a late-period run that left the Thunder reeling. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Spurs’ defense had completely stifled OKC’s rhythm, outscoring the visitors 43–28 in the final frame to turn a tight game into a runaway blowout.

Key Performers

Keldon Johnson (SAS): The spark plug off the bench finished with a team-high 25 points, terrorizing the Thunder’s second unit and providing the emotional energy that fueled the Frost Bank Center crowd.
Stephon Castle (SAS): The rookie continued his breakout campaign with 24 points. His ability to defend Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the point of attack while remaining efficient on the offensive end was the “X-factor” of the night.
Victor Wembanyama (SAS): Playing his sixth straight game off the bench as he manages a return from a calf strain, Wembanyama tallied 12 points and hit a massive 26-foot triple early in the fourth to put the game out of reach. Notably, his record-breaking streak of 101 consecutive games with at least one block came to an end last night, but his gravity in the paint forced OKC into a dismal shooting night near the rim.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): Despite the loss, SGA was spectacular, scoring 33 points and adding 8 assists. However, he received little help as the Spurs’ defense neutralized the rest of the Thunder’s starting five.

A Rivalry Renewed

The Spurs (22–7) have now won 14 of their last 17 games, moving firmly into second place in the West and narrowing the gap between themselves and the first-place Thunder (26–4).

The most alarming stat for Oklahoma City? The Spurs’ defense. San Antonio forced the Thunder—the league’s most careful ball-handling team—into uncharacteristic turnovers and held Chet Holmgren to just 7 points on 30% shooting.

Stat of the Night

91%: The shooting percentage the Spurs allowed at the rim in the previous meeting. Last night, they flipped the script, using their length to force OKC into contested mid-range jumpers and perimeter misses.

What’s Next?

The NBA takes a breather tonight for Christmas Eve, but the fireworks return tomorrow. In a rare scheduling quirk, these two teams will face off again tomorrow on Christmas Day, this time in Oklahoma City. The Thunder will be looking for revenge on their home court, while the Spurs look to prove that their recent dominance over the champs is no fluke.