De’Aaron Fox led the San Antonio Spurs to a 117-102 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking their third win against the reigning NBA champions in the last two weeks. The Spurs had previously defeated the Thunder in an NBA Cup semifinal on Dec. 13 and in San Antonio on Tuesday. The two teams are set to face off again on Jan. 13 in Oklahoma City.
Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle contributed significantly to the Spurs’ win, with Wembanyama recording 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Castle adding 19 points and seven assists. San Antonio maintained a strong shooting performance, hitting 53.6% from the field while holding the Thunder to 38.9% shooting.
The victory extended the Spurs’ winning streak to eight games, while the Thunder suffered their second home loss of the season. Despite the loss, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points for the Thunder, although he struggled with his field goal percentage. Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren also made notable contributions for Oklahoma City.
San Antonio took control of the game early in the third quarter, building a substantial lead that they maintained until the final buzzer. The Spurs’ dominance was evident as they outscored the Thunder in key moments, including a decisive run in the third quarter that secured their victory.
In other NBA action on Christmas Day, the New York Knicks staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124, with Jalen Brunson leading the charge. The Denver Nuggets also secured a thrilling 142-138 overtime win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Nikola Jokic setting a new NBA record for points scored in overtime. Additionally, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks 126-116, and the Houston Rockets overtook the Los Angeles Lakers 119-96 in a convincing victory.