Victor Wembanyama's return powers Spurs past red-hot Thunder, ending OKC's 16-game win streak and booking San Antonio's ticket to the NBA Cup Final.
Victor Wembanyama came back with a vengeance, and the Thunder never saw it coming.
After missing 12 games with a strained left calf, the 7-4 phenom returned to the Spurs lineup Saturday night and instantly changed the game, scoring 22 points with nine rebounds in just 21 minutes.
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The result was a stunning 111-109 victory over the 24-1 Oklahoma City Thunder, snapping their 16-game win streak, handing them their second loss and sending San Antonio to the NBA Cup Final.
With MVP chants raining down in Vegas from a pro-Spurs crowd, Wembanyama didn't miss a beat despite his minutes restriction.
He posted a plus-21, the highest on the team, while injecting energy, swagger, and dominance into a team that had already gone 9-3 without him.
The Thunder hadn't lost since November 5, boasting the league's best record and steamrolling teams left and right. But the Spurs, gritty, balanced, and inspired by Wemby's return, punched them in the mouth.
San Antonio's scoring came from all angles ... Devin Vassell led with 23 points, while De'Aaron Fox and rookie Stephon Castle each added 22.
The Spurs erased an early 10-point deficit with a 13-0 run to close the first half and seized full control in the third with another 10-0 burst.
Even with a furious push from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 29 points, plus 17 apiece from Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams, OKC couldn’t close.
Wemby, Castle, and Fox hit clutch shots down the stretch, and the Spurs clamped down just enough to hand the Thunder their second straight Cup loss in Vegas, after falling to Milwaukee in last year’s final.
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The Spurs are now set to face the New York Knicks in Tuesday night's NBA Cup championship. And with Wembanyama looking rested, ruthless, and ready for the moment, San Antonio may be the hottest team standing.
Up next, the Spurs enter the NBA Cup Final vs. the Knicks on Tuesday.
One thing's clear ... the NBA Cup runs through Wemby now.