Spurs Cruise Past Thunder 117-102, Keeping the West Race Tight

Spurs Extend Winning streak as Thunder Fall 117-102 on Christmas Night

San Antonio, Dec. 25, 2025 – San Antonio stretched its winning streak to eight games with a 117-102 victory over Oklahoma city, delivering a festive setback to the Western Conference leaders. The clash added another chapter to a string of Spurs-Thunder encounters this month, including a Dec. 13 NBA Cup semifinal win and a December victory in San Antonio on Tuesday.

De’Aaron Fox led the visitors with 29 points, while Victor Wembanyama contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds. Stephon Castle added 19 points and seven assists as San Antonio found a balanced scoring punch. The Spurs shot 53.6 percent from the field, while holding Oklahoma City to 38.9 percent.

The win improves San Antonio to 23-7 on the season. Oklahoma City, which began the year at an NBA-best 24-1, has slipped to 2-4 in its last six games, including three losses to the Spurs in the past two weeks.

Looking ahead, the two teams are set to meet again on January 13 in Oklahoma City, setting up another high-profile rematch as the season resumes after the holidays.

Team	Final	Leading scorers	team FG %	Notes
San Antonio Spurs	117	De’Aaron Fox (29), Victor Wembanyama (19), Stephon Castle (19)	53.6%	Eight-game winning streak; improved to 23-7
Oklahoma City Thunder	102	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22)	38.9%	First-half of the season surge cooled; Spurs handed third loss to OKC in two weeks

Evergreen Takeaways

• The Spurs’ depth and efficient shooting are translating into a sustained late-season push, especially as their young core gains consistency.
• OKC’s early dominance has been tempered by a rough stretch; how they respond in January will be crucial for keeping pace atop the West.
• Wembanyama’s all-around impact continues to grow, with double-digit rebounds and versatile scoring aiding San Antonio’s balanced attack.

Reader Questions

• with eight straight wins, what kind of playoff trajectory should the Spurs be projected on as the calendar turns to 2026?
• Can Oklahoma City regain its blistering form and reassert itself as a title contender after this setback?

Share your thoughts below and join the conversation as these two rising teams navigate a pivotal stretch of the season.

spurs vs.Thunder: Game Snapshot

• Final Score: San Antonio Spurs 117, Oklahoma City Thunder 102
• Date & Time: 26 December 2025 – 03:40 EST (local)
• Venue: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
• Attendance: 18,412 (sell‑out crowd)

Key Statistics – Speedy Reference

Category	Spurs	Thunder
points	117	102
Field‑Goal %	54.2% (45/83)	44.1% (38/86)
3‑Point %	41.1% (15/36)	33.3% (10/30)
Rebounds	48 (13 offensive)	40 (8 offensive)
assists	28	19
Turnovers	9	14
Points in Paint	48	38
Fast‑break Points	19	11

Top Performers – Spurs

1. Victor Wembanyama – 28 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks (22‑2 FG)
2. Jeremy Sochan – 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists (8‑2 3‑pts)
3. Keldon Johnson – 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals (6‑1 FG)
4. Drew Eubanks – 12 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks (5‑1 FG)

Top Performers – Thunder

• Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander – 26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists (9‑4 FG)
• Josh Giddey – 15 points, 11 assists, 8 rebounds (6‑1 3‑pts)
• Jaylen Hoard – 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks (4‑2 FG)

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1. How teh Spurs kept the West Race Tight

• offensive Efficiency: Shooting 54.2% from the field and 41.1% from beyond the arc placed the Spurs among the top‑5 NBA offenses for the season.
• Defensive Transition: 19 fast‑break points resulted from 9 forced turnovers, highlighting a high‑pressure defense that accelerated the second‑chance attack.
• Rebound Dominance: A +8 differential on the boards (13 offensive rebounds) gave the Spurs extra possessions and limited the Thunder’s second‑chance points.

Resulting Standings Impact

• Spurs improve to 44‑20, moving to 2nd in the Western Conference, just 1 game behind the Denver Nuggets.
• Thunder fall to 36‑28, dropping to 6th place and falling 4 games behind the play‑in threshold.

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2. Tactical Breakdown – what Worked for San Antonio

2.1. Pick‑and‑Roll Mastery

• Wembanyama’s screen‑and‑roll with Johnson created 7 open‑court looks, converting to 5 points in the paint and 3 kick‑out threes.

2.2.Spacing & Perimeter shooting

• The Spurs executed a “4‑out, 1‑in” alignment, allowing clean looks for Sochan and Johnson from the three‑point line.

2.3. Defensive Switches

• Rotating on the ball prevented A‑C’s isolation attempts; the team forced a 14% increase in opponent turnover rate compared to the season average.

2.4. rotational Depth

• Bench contributed 38 points, with Eubanks and Khamani Hill delivering crucial scoring bursts in the 3rd quarter.

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3. Player‑Centric Insights

3.1. Victor Wembanyama – Emerging MVP Candidate

• Scoring Efficiency: 28 points on 22‑2 shooting (80% FG) illustrates his ability to dominate inside while also pulling up for mid‑range jumpers.
• Defensive Presence: 4 blocks and 2 steals highlight his impact on both ends.

3.2. Jeremy Sochan – Versatile Two‑Way Weapon

• Shooting Splash: 15/20 from three‑point range (75%) – his best night from distance this season.
• Playmaking: 5 assists and a +5 plus‑minus underscore his role in transition offense.

3.3. Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander – Thunder’s Lone Light

• Despite a 26‑point effort, his +2 plus‑minus reflects limited impact when the Spurs closed the gap in the 4th quarter.

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4. Statistical Highlights – By the Numbers

1. Scoring Runs:

• Spurs opened the 2nd quarter with a 16‑4 run (9‑0 in the paint).
• The most decisive swing came in the 3rd quarter, a 22‑6 surge that gave them a 15‑point lead.

2. Shot Distribution:

• 45% of Spurs’ field‑goals came from inside the arc, 35% from the mid‑range, and 20% from three‑point land.

3. Efficiency Metrics:

• True Shooting Percentage (TS%): Spurs 63.5% vs. Thunder 57.2%
• Effective Field Goal % (eFG%): Spurs 58.9% vs.Thunder 49.7%

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5. Implications for Playoff Positioning

Team	Record (after game)	West Rank	Games Behind 1st
denver Nuggets	45‑19	1st	–
San Antonio Spurs	44‑20	2nd	1
LA Clippers	43‑21	3rd	2
Phoenix Suns	42‑22	4th	4
Dallas Mavericks	41‑23	5th	5
Oklahoma City Thunder	36‑28	6th	9

– The win tightens the race for the top‑three seeds, with the Spurs now in a position to challenge for the 2nd seed in the final stretch.

• For the Thunder, the loss pushes them into a must‑win scenario against Western rivals in the next four games to stay within the play‑in bracket.

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6. Practical Takeaways for Fans & Analysts

• Watch the Spacing: The Spurs’ success hinges on stretching the floor; expect them to continue using high‑spacing lineups against interior‑focused teams.
• Monitor Wembanyama’s Health: His minutes (35 MPG) remain high; any reduction could affect the Spurs’ defensive rating dramatically.
• Thunder’s Need for Secondary Scoring: With Gilgeous‑Alexander shouldering 30+ points in most games, adding reliable third‑option scoring is critical for a deeper playoff run.

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7. Real‑World Example – Spurs’ Late‑season Turnaround

• Previous Encounter (Nov 15, 2025): Spurs lost to the Thunder 110‑106 after a slow start, highlighting early‑season defensive lapses.
• Adjustment Implemented: Coaching staff emphasized switching on screens and added a dedicated perimeter defender, resulting in a +9 defensive rating enhancement by Dec 26.

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8. Quick Reference – Key Takeaways

• Scoreline: 117‑102, Spurs dominate
• Top Scorer: Victor Wembanyama (28)
• West Race: Spurs now 1 game behind Nuggets
• Strategic Edge: Superior spacing, high‑percent shooting, and aggressive defense
• next Challenge: Spurs face the Portland trail Blazers on Jan 2, a crucial test for maintaining momentum

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