Spurs Make Statement with Grit and Grind Victory Over Thunder 116-106
The San Antonio Spurs weren’t supposed to make it look this easy. Not against the defending champs. But on a Wednesday night that felt more like a playoff preview than a mid-winter tune-up, the Spurs delivered a message loud enough to echo all the way to Oklahoma City: We aren’t just coming; we are here.
Keldon Johnson poured in 25 points, Victor Wembanyama did his usual alien-like things with a 22-point, 14-rebound double-double, and San Antonio never trailed in a wire-to-wire 116-106 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sure, you can point to the injury report. The Thunder were missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Alex Caruso. Their rotation was thinner than paper. But in the NBA, availability is a skill, and the Spurs capitalized with ruthless efficiency, securing their fourth win over OKC this season.
Wembanyama and Johnson Set the Tone Early
From the opening tip, the energy inside the Frost Bank Center was different. It wasn’t just anticipation; it was expectation. The Spurs raced out to a 39-26 lead after the first quarter, fueled by a defensive intensity that has become their calling card.
Wembanyama was everywhere. It’s one thing to read the box score; it’s another to see him alter the geometry of the court. He blocked shots, deflected passes, and finished alley-oops that only he could catch. His presence allowed the perimeter defenders to gamble, knowing the 7-foot-4 safety net was waiting behind them.
But the heart of this win was Keldon Johnson. He played with a downhill aggression that Oklahoma City simply couldn’t match. Whether he was bullying his way to the rim or stepping back for three, Johnson brought a physicality that set the emotional temperature for the game. When the Thunder tried to make a run in the second half, it was Johnson who provided the stabilizing buckets.
A Complete Team Effort
While the stars shone, the supporting cast for the Spurs was equally vital. De’Aaron Fox, orchestrating the offense with the poise of a veteran conductor, finished with 15 points and 10 assists. He controlled the pace, ensuring San Antonio didn’t fall into the trap of playing too fast against a depleted but dangerous opponent.
Rookie forward Carter Bryant also stepped up, matching his season-high with 11 points. Seeing a young player find his rhythm in a big game is always a good sign for the future, and Bryant looked comfortable under the bright lights.
“You get paid for this job — this is what we’re all here to do,” Dylan Harper said after the previous game, a sentiment that clearly carried over to Wednesday. The Spurs played for each other, moving the ball and finding the open man, resulting in a balanced attack that kept the Thunder defense scrambling all night.
Thunder Show Resilience Despite Roster Issues
Credit must be given to Oklahoma City. Down their MVP candidate and several key starters, they could have folded. Instead, they fought.
Kenrich Williams and Jaylin Williams (24 points, 12 rebounds) played their hearts out. The “Williams Wall” combined for 49 points, refusing to let the game turn into a complete blowout. Aaron Wiggins added 20 points, knocking down shots and keeping the Thunder within striking distance for much of the night.
But every time OKC threatened to cut the lead to single digits, the Spurs had an answer. A block by Wemby, a drive by Fox, a hustle play by Jeremy Sochan. The depth and talent gap was eventually too much for the gritty Thunder reserves to overcome.
Playoff Implications for the Spurs
The Spurs (34-16) have now closed the gap to within five games of the conference-leading Thunder (40-12).
More importantly, they’ve shown they can beat the best. Taking the season series 4-1 against the reigning champions is no fluke. It’s a pattern. It suggests that when the postseason rolls around, San Antonio will be a matchup nightmare for anyone in the West.
Coach Mitch Johnson has his team peaking at the right time. The chemistry is palpable. The defense is elite. And in Wembanyama, they have a weapon that no one has truly figured out how to stop.
As the final buzzer sounded and the crowd erupted, the feeling was undeniable. The rebuild is over. The Spurs aren’t waiting for next year. They want it all right now.
What’s Next for San Antonio?
The Spurs will look to extend their winning streak as they head on the road to face the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. It’s a quick turnaround, but after a performance like this, confidence will be sky-high.
For the Thunder, they head home to host the Houston Rockets on Saturday, hoping to get healthy and snap out of a funk that has seen them lose four of their last seven.
But tonight belongs to San Antonio. In a season of highs and lows, this win felt like a summit. The view from the top is getting closer, and the Spurs are climbing fast.
