He's Back: Wembanyama's Triumphant Return Sparks Spurs Upset, Ends Thunder's Streak

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LAS VEGAS, NV — In one of the most stunning results of the 2025-26 season, the San Antonio Spurs snatched a 111-109 victory from the jaws of the powerhouse Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup Western Semifinal on Saturday night. The victory, secured in dramatic fashion in Las Vegas, not only sends the Spurs to the NBA Cup Final but also snaps the Thunder’s incredible 16-game winning streak.

The headline of the night was the triumphant return of Victor Wembanyama, whose presence—despite a strict minutes restriction—completely altered the flow of the game.

The Return of the Alien

Wembanyama, who missed the previous 12 games with a strained left calf, was held to just 21 minutes of playing time and came off the bench for the first time in his NBA career. Yet, his impact was immediate and decisive:

Dominant Stat Line: He finished with an exceptional 22 points and nine rebounds on $6$ -of- $11$ shooting, earning “M-V-P” chants from the pro-Spurs crowd.
The Plus-Minus Impact: The clearest indicator of his influence was his +21 plus/minus rating. In the 21 minutes he played, the Spurs outscored the Thunder by 21 points, an astronomical swing against a team that was $24-1$ entering the night.
The Clutch Factor: Wembanyama was aggressive and emotional, delivering 15 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter, including key baskets that kept the Spurs ahead in the tense final minutes.

The Comeback Story

The game began exactly as expected, with the defending champion Thunder looking to bury the Spurs early.

Early Thunder Surge: Oklahoma City jumped out to a dominant 14-point lead in the second quarter ( $47-33$ ), fueled by their league-leading defense and scoring from MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Wembanyama Effect: The mood in the T-Mobile Arena immediately changed when Wembanyama checked in at the start of the second quarter. His gravity sparked a momentum-shifting 13-0 run to end the first half, cutting the Thunder’s lead to just three points at the break ( $49-46$ ).
Controlling the Second Half: San Antonio used a 10-0 run in the third quarter to take their first lead of the game, $62-56$ . The teams traded blows for the rest of the half, setting the stage for the dramatic closing moments.

The Spurs’ Depth Shines

While Wembanyama provided the star power, the Spurs’ veterans and young guards—who went $9-3$ in his absence—were critical in closing out the victory:

Balanced Scoring: Devin Vassell led the team with 23 points, and both De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle each contributed 22 points, proving the Spurs are far more than a one-man show.
Thunder’s Near Miss: Oklahoma City was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 29 points, with Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams each adding 17. The Thunder pulled within one point multiple times in the final 15 seconds, but late free throws from Vassell and clutch defensive stands sealed their fate.