After splitting a troublesome back-to-back set that pitted them in opposition to the Celtics and Timberwolves, the schedule doesn’t get simpler for the Spurs. They’ll journey to Oklahoma Metropolis to face the league-best Thunder for the fourth time this season, seeking to proceed their undefeated streak in opposition to the defending champions.
All the NBA world can be watching, because the Spurs have been the Thunder’s kryptonite this season, beating them in all three matchups they performed. It’s additionally a battle that includes the highest two groups within the West and one other alternative for the Silver and Black to show that they don’t seem to be only a younger workforce that appears forward of schedule, however a severe contender. The absence of Devin Vassell looms massive for San Antonio, however Victor Wembanyama is wholesome and beginning once more, so the expectations can be excessive.
There aren’t plenty of simple video games for the Spurs earlier than the All-Star break, and so they’ve needed to journey rather a lot and play back-to-backs. Nonetheless, nobody will really feel sorry for them, and each win and loss issues within the West’s battle for playoff seeding. They’ve proven prior to now that they’ve the recipe to beat the perfect workforce within the league. They’ll have to do it once more to maintain tempo with OKC and maintain off the remainder of the contenders within the convention from catching as much as them.
San Antonio Spurs (27-12) vs. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (33-7)
January 13, 2026 | 7 p.m. CT
Watch: FanDuel Sports activities | WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs accidents: Devin Vassell (left adductor pressure)
Thunder accidents: Thomas Sorber (ACL surgical procedure restoration), Nikola Subject (surgical restoration), Isaiah Hartenstein (proper soleus pressure)
The Thunder’s thirst for revenge
As talked about, the Thunder have misplaced solely seven video games this season, and three of them have been to the Spurs. They have been as soon as thought-about a secure guess to win 70+ video games and universally picked to win the championship. Whereas they’re nonetheless the favorites, these three losses to San Antonio have proven that they don’t seem to be the unstoppable juggernaut many have been satisfied they have been. And for that, they may be further motivated to avenge these losses.
Past the Spurs’ wins, a rivalry is constructing between the league’s prime younger groups. Victor Wembanyama has been battling Chet Holmgren in worldwide play since they have been youngsters and appears to relish the chance to beat him. Holmgren would possibly wish to return the favor after largely subpar performances in earlier encounters. On prime of the historical past between the 2 franchises, which extends previous the current years, the Thunder are No. 1 within the West and wish to create much more separation with the second-place Spurs.
Don’t be stunned if OKC comes out firing. Will probably be on San Antonio to match their depth and never allow them to management how the sport is performed.
Within the earlier matchups with the Thunder, the Spurs’ guard trio of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Citadel, and Dylan Harper took turns attacking the paint with surprisingly optimistic outcomes. Fox and Citadel shot effectively over 50 % in opposition to the highest protection within the league, and the rookie had a 10-assist sport. The three wins have been the product of incredible workforce effort and good sport plans, however the guards performed an enormous half prior to now success in opposition to OKC.
Sadly, the dynamic trio has not been taking part in its greatest currently. Prior to now 5 video games, Fox and Citadel have been capturing below 40 % and haven’t been capable of join on outdoors appears to be like. Harper is capturing below 20 % and has struggled to complete on the rim. They’re all in a hunch on the identical time, simply because the Spurs want them to excel in opposition to an opponent that thrives after they can put the clamps on opponents’ perimeter creators.
Hopefully, the motivation of taking part in the perfect workforce within the West will encourage them, and the hyper-aggressive Thunder protection gained’t trigger turnovers and as a substitute unlock their driving capability, as a result of San Antonio will want the hunch to finish to have an opportunity.
The Spurs rank twenty first within the league in three-point capturing proportion at 34.6 % whereas taking round 37 threes a sport. They’ve had their ups and downs, however on the whole, they’re mediocre at greatest from past the arc. The Thunder aren’t an excellent outdoors capturing workforce both, taking about the identical quantity as San Antonio whereas capturing 35.5 %, however they’re the higher of the 2. Within the mixture on the three matchups, nonetheless, the Silver and Black shot 37.4 % whereas OKC shot a meager 28.8 %.
Having the sting on three-point capturing is at all times vital, however particularly so contemplating how the Spurs wish to defend when Wembanyama is on the ground. They usually change on the perimeter whereas Wemby roams and closes out to whoever is parked within the nook. Alex Caruso merely couldn’t make him pay in one of many matchups wherein the Thunder tried to counter the technique by going small, connecting on simply two of his 12 makes an attempt.
The Thunder will probably attempt to harm Wemby by having his project shoot rather a lot. If somebody from their aspect will get scorching, San Antonio will want to have the ability to match that firepower.
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