OKC Thunder’s record run ends in Las Vegas, and the lessons are loud
Breaking: Spurs stun Thunder in NBA Cup semifinal
The streak is over. The defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder fell 111 to 109 to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup semifinal in Las Vegas. The loss snaps a franchise record 16 straight wins and halts a historic 24 to 1 start. I watched Victor Wembanyama return from a calf injury and flip the game late. He scored 15 in the fourth, 22 total, and sent the Spurs to the Cup Final against the Knicks.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poured in 29 and hit big shots all night. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren added 17 each. Alex Caruso chipped in 11. It still was not enough in a closing stretch that turned on size, poise, and rim pressure. The Thunder did not get stops when it mattered most.
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Final, NBA Cup semifinal, Dec 13, Las Vegas: Spurs 111, Thunder 109. OKC’s 16-game win streak ends. Season record now 24 to 2.
What the loss revealed
The Thunder have been the most complete team in the league. Tonight exposed the cracks that elite playoff games always find.
The Wembanyama problem
Wembanyama changed the geometry of the floor. His length bothered drives. His closeouts erased space. In the fourth, he pulled Holmgren away from the paint, then cut behind help for finishes. When OKC switched, he punished smaller wings with touch shots over a high hand. When they stayed home, his gravity opened driving lanes for the Spurs guards.
This is the matchup that will shape any future OKC San Antonio series. Holmgren is skilled and mobile, but he needs a thicker back line against a player that tall and fluid. The Thunder were late on second efforts and late on the glass. That gave the Spurs extra lives in a two point game.
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Late game execution
OKC have closed games with a simple rule. Put the ball in Shai’s hands and trust reads. Tonight the reads got crowded. San Antonio showed a top lock, then late traps. Shai still found pull ups and sprays, but the Thunder’s weak side spacing sagged. Two late possessions ended in forced looks. That is unusual for this group.
Bench scoring also cooled. The Thunder usually win the non Shai minutes with tempo and cutting. The Spurs slowed those stints, switched more, and kept OKC in front. The pace dipped just enough to favor half court shot making on both sides.
Rotation check
Mark Daigneault leaned on his core. The core is elite. But the second unit needed one more sturdy screen setter and one more defensive rebound. A short stretch of small ball, with Holmgren off and Jalen at the five, gave up size. It helped the Thunder run, but it also cost them clean boards.
Expect staggered minutes for Shai and J-Dub, more two-big looks with a physical rebounder next to Holmgren, and earlier help tags on Wembanyama’s cuts.
What changes now
Perspective matters. OKC are 24 to 2, the best 26 game start in franchise history. They are still the champs until someone beats them in May and June. But this loss will sharpen their focus.
They must fix two things fast. First, late game spacing. The corners must be occupied, and the dunker spot must be smarter against length. Second, the defensive glass against elite size. It is not just about the center. Guards and wings need to hit first, then pursue. Physicality has to travel.
There is also a scouting note. Teams will copy what San Antonio used tonight. They will show Shai a second defender late in the clock, and they will force others to close. That is where J-Dub’s paint touches and Holmgren’s pick and pop become the counter. It is also where Caruso’s cutting and calm matter.
Key numbers that tell the story
- 24 to 1 entering the night, now 24 to 2
- 16 straight wins snapped, a franchise record
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 29 points, steady all game
- Jalen Williams 17, Chet Holmgren 17, Alex Caruso 11
- Victor Wembanyama 22, 15 in the fourth, game changer
The path to a repeat runs through size and late game clarity. The Thunder must own the glass and the corners in crunch time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What ended the Thunder’s streak?
A: Fourth quarter shot creation from the Spurs and Wembanyama’s length at both ends. OKC also lost key rebounds.
Q: Did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggle?
A: No. He scored 29 and carried the offense. The issue was spacing and support in the final minutes.
Q: How did Chet Holmgren fare against Wembanyama?
A: Holmgren produced 17 and battled. Wembanyama’s late surge forced help and exposed the back line.
Q: What does this mean for OKC’s title hopes?
A: The standard is still title or bust. This loss highlights adjustments needed, not a ceiling.
Q: Who do the Spurs play next?
A: The Spurs advance to the NBA Cup Final to face the New York Knicks.
The Thunder just took a gut punch. That can be good medicine for a young champion. The tape will sting, then it will guide them. This team still owns speed, skill, and poise. Fix the glass, sharpen the spacing, and lean on their star. If they do that, tonight becomes a lesson they use in June.
