Wemby, Spurs Beat SGA, Thunder to Reach NBA Cup Finals as Fans Eye Knicks Matchup

Victor Wembanyama and the No. 3 San Antonio Spurs are headed to the NBA Cup finals after defeating Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder 111-109 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The Spurs will face the No. 3 New York Knicks in the Championship after the Knicks defeated the Orlando Magic earlier on Saturday. 

Wembanyama finished with 22 points and nine rebounds in his return to the court after missing 12 games with a left calf strain, coming off the bench to spark the Spurs. 

Stephon Castle added 22 points, Devin Vassell dropped 23 and De'Aaron Fox added 22 in the gutsy win.

With the win, the Spurs improved to 18-7 while handing the Thunder just their second loss of the season, dropping them to 24-2. 

Gilgeous-Alexander posted 29 points, four rebounds and five assists on 12-of-23 shooting, while Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams contributed 17 points apiece in the rare loss.

Fans reacted to Wembanyama's strong performance and the Spurs' push to become NBA Cup champions.

The Thunder held a three-point lead at halftime, powered by 12 points from Gilgeous-Alexander and nine from Holmgren. Wembanyama entered the break with five points, and Castle led San Antonio with nine. Oklahoma City was up 49-33 before the Spurs closed the half on a 13-0 run.

San Antonio stayed on Oklahoma City's heels throughout the second half and ultimately pulled away late, winning a free-throw-driven finish to secure its spot in the championship.

The Spurs will face the Knicks in the NBA Cup championship on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at T-Mobile Arena.