Generally it feels just like the NBA has a few of Hollywood’s finest screenwriters working within the league workplace. It’s onerous to consider a extra climactic NBA Cup semifinals than the league’s defending champions, who’ve solely misplaced one recreation all season, vs. an up-and-coming, scrappy staff getting again probably the most thrilling younger participant on the planet. Basketball followers shall be in for a deal with when the San Antonio Spurs tackle the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder in Las Vegas.
The Thunder’s story has been advised many occasions. After profitable the Finals final yr, the staff has been unstoppable. They’re 24-1 with one of the best web score within the NBA, dominating on each ends of the court docket. They received their NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup with the Phoenix Suns by almost 40 factors. They’re unequivocally one of the best staff within the league and are the favorites to win the Cup. However something might occur with Victor Wembanyama suiting up for the Spurs.
San Antonio throttled the Los Angeles Lakers to get an opportunity on the Thunder. They performed a few of their finest basketball of the season. Now they’ll be at full well being for the primary time this yr. Wembanyama has performed properly in opposition to the Thunder previously, seeming to have a chip on his shoulder when going through rival large man Chet Holmgren. The Spurs will want a star efficiency from Wemby in the event that they wish to compete with the league’s finest. An opportunity to play for the NBA Cup, and the money prize that comes with it, hangs within the stability.
December 13, 2025 | 8 PM CT
Watch: Amazon Prime | Pay attention: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Harrison Ingram – Out (G League), David Jones-Garcia – Questionable (G League), Victor Wembanyama – Possible (calf), Riley Minix – Out (G League)
Thunder Accidents: Isaiah Joe – Out (knee), Thomas Sorber – Out (knee), Nikola Subject – Out (sickness)
The Thunder is one of the best defensive staff within the league. They thrive on disrupting their opponents’ offense, creating turnovers, and scoring simple transition baskets. OKC is 2nd within the NBA in steals (10.2 per recreation) and forces 17.9 turnovers per recreation. Whereas the Spurs have gotten higher at lowering turnovers, they’re nonetheless susceptible to mad errors. These errors might snowball rapidly in opposition to the Thunder and bury the Spurs. They must maintain the ball if they need an opportunity to upset OKC.
Fort will definitely get the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matchup on Saturday night time. He’s been the Spurs’ go-to defensive stopper all season, and SGA shall be his hardest matchup but. Very similar to Luka Doncic, Gilgeous-Alexander is understood for his foul-baiting. He’s all the time in search of a manner to attract a foul and get to the road. Fort, then again, has struggled with foul hassle all season, averaging 3.7 a recreation. Fort is just too necessary on each ends of the ground to be taken out of the sport attributable to fouls. His self-discipline on SGA might be a deciding issue on Saturday.
San Antonio is lastly absolutely wholesome. That is the primary time Mitch Johnson will get to actualize no matter rotation he envisioned coming into the season. It’s unusual to suppose the staff shall be taking part in with one another for the primary time, within the largest recreation of the season to this point, in opposition to one of the best staff within the league. How will the guard trio of De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Fort gel with Wemby? Will we see a lot of Luke Kornet sharing the ground with Wembanyama? Does Wemby’s return imply Jeremy Sochan shall be again within the rotation, given their chemistry? There are such a lot of questions. Ones that may doubtless get solutions over the course of many video games, not only one. But it surely’s fascinating and promising to lastly see the staff at full well being.
