It’s a rivalry that has been growing slowly and will reach its climax at Christmas. And, given the trajectory of the two teams, it may well continue in the Playoffs with something much more juicy at stake.
The San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder for the second time in 10 days and the sparks that flew in the game showed that there is already more than a healthy rivalry between the two teams. The Texans already knocked the Thunder out of the Cup semi-finals and now handed them their worst defeat of the season: 130-110. The champions have found their nemesis.
This is OKC’s fourth loss of the year, the third in five games since they set a crushing 24-1 start, when they were touted as candidates to beat the Warriors’ 73-9. And certainly, it is the worst defeat of all. Before, against Trail Blazers, Spurs and Wolves they fell by 2, 2 and 5 points. The Spurs have shown that these Thunder are earthly.
For San Antonio, it was their 14th win in 17 games, a run that has taken them to second place in the Western Conference with a 22-7 record, just behind their latest victims.
The best thing is that both teams will meet again in a matter of hours as it is one of the highlights scheduled by the NBA for its menu of Christmas games. And they have promised a real battle.
San Antonio did not have the decisive version of Victor Wembanyama, nor did it need it. The French colossus, a substitute for the sixth consecutive game while he is protected by his physical problems, came out to contribute 12 points and five rebounds in 23 minutes. The star was Keldon Johnson, who scored 25 points off the bench. The usual suspects for the Texans, Stephon Castle and Harrison Barnes, were also in great form with 24 and 20 points apiece.
In the Thunder, once again Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shone brightly, but was poorly assisted by his teammates. Jalen Williams scored 17 points and Chet Holmgren was held to just seven, with three shots made from 10 attempts.
In just over 24 hours, a new battle in this rivalry. And this time, it will be at Christmas…
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