De’Aaron Fox led the San Antonio Spurs to a 117-102 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking their third win against the reigning NBA champions within a fortnight. The Spurs had previously defeated the Thunder in an NBA Cup semifinal on December 13 and in a match in San Antonio just days ago. The two teams are set to face off again on January 13 in Oklahoma City.
In the recent game, Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle contributed significantly with 19 points each, along with strong performances in rebounds and assists. The Spurs shot an impressive 53.6% from the field, while effectively limiting the Thunder to 38.9% shooting.
San Antonio’s winning streak extended to eight games, while the Thunder suffered their second home loss of the season. Despite the loss, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points, maintaining his streak of scoring at least 20 points in 102 consecutive games. On the Thunder’s side, Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren also made notable contributions with double-digit points and rebounds.
The Thunder had a strong start, making their first seven field goals and taking an early lead. However, De’Aaron Fox’s stellar performance, especially with 21 points in the first half, turned the tide in favor of the Spurs. By halftime, San Antonio held a 69-60 lead and continued to extend it in the second half, ultimately securing a comfortable victory.
In other NBA Christmas Day matchups, the New York Knicks rallied from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124, while Nikola Jokic’s 56-point triple-double led the Denver Nuggets to a thrilling 142-138 overtime victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Additionally, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks 126-116, and the Houston Rockets overtook the Los Angeles Lakers 119-96 in their holiday showdown.
