Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to a victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup. This match marks a significant moment for the Spurs as they eliminate the defending champions from the tournament.
NBA Cup Summary
The NBA Cup serves as an in-season tournament, with matches counting towards the regular season standings, except for the finals. The Thunder had an impressive track record going into the tournament but faced a setback against the Spurs.
Key Game Highlights
- Oklahoma City Thunder entered the game after an impressive 16-game winning streak.
- Last year, the Thunder fell to the Milwaukee Bucks in the final.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 29 points for the Thunder.
Spurs’ Performance
- The Spurs ended the Thunder’s hopes in the NBA Cup with this victory.
- San Antonio will advance to face the New York Knicks in the finals.
Oklahoma City’s Strong Season Start
Before this defeat, the Thunder had matched the best 25-game start to a season, achieving a remarkable 24-1 record. Their previous victory against the Phoenix Suns in the quarter-finals had solidified their reputation. Only the Golden State Warriors have had a better start, going 25-1 in the 2015-16 season.
Upcoming Final
The Spurs will proceed to the final against the New York Knicks, who recently triumphed over the Orlando Magic with a score of 132-120. Jalen Brunson was instrumental in the Knicks’ victory, scoring a season-high 40 points. His teammate, Karl-Anthony Towns, contributed significantly with 29 points.
- Brunson’s performance highlights the Knicks’ offensive capabilities.
- Towns emphasized the team’s commitment to their game plan, stating, “We came out here and did exactly what we said we wanted to do, which was play Knicks basketball.”
The upcoming final promises to be an exciting matchup as the Spurs face a formidable Knicks team.
