COLUMN: 3 reasons why the Spurs have the Thunder's number this 2025-26 NBA season

Alta Sports3 months ago · 194 views

COLUMN: 3 reasons why the Spurs have the Thunder's number this 2025-26 NBA season image

Photo: Getty Images

By Joel Reyes

The San Antonio Spurs have done it again. They continued their mastery of Oklahoma City, defeating the Thunder 117-102 on Christmas Day at Paycom Center.

The Spurs have now won their first three meetings against OKC this campaign, putting the league on notice that they are a legitimate championship contender.

Here are three reasons why the Thunder have found it difficult to solve the Spurs this 2025-26 NBA season.

1. The Spurs have a cheat code in Victor Wembanyama

The Oklahoma City Thunder have a Victor Wembanyama problem. The Frenchman made his return from a calf injury in the NBA Cup semifinal against OKC last Dec. 14 (PH time) and has been a thorn in the Thunder’s side ever since.

Wemby quickly made an impact for San Antonio in that contest, recording 22 points, 9 rebounds, two blocks and one steal in the Spurs’ 111-109 victory. He also delivered in the Spurs’ 130-110 win over the Thunder last Wednesday, scoring 12 points and grabbing 5 boards in 23 minutes of action.

The 7-foot-5 star once again punished the Thunder when the Spurs paid a visit to OKC for their Christmas Day clash, posting a double-double off the bench with 19 points and 11 rebounds. San Antonio was +47 against OKC when Wemby was on the court in those three encounters, showing that he is indeed a matchup problem for the defending NBA champions.

2. The Spurs’ depth is posing problems for OKC

It isn’t just Victor Wembanyama who is tormenting Oklahoma City this season. To highlight the Spurs’ depth, three different San Antonio players have led the team in scoring in each of their wins against the Thunder.

Devin Vassell starred in San Antonio’s NBA Cup win over OKC, scoring 23 points on 6-for-13 shooting. It was Keldon Johnson’s turn to carry the scoring load for the Spurs in their 130-110 victory against the Thunder, dropping 25 points off the bench. De’Aaron Fox then spearheaded the Spurs’ offense in their Christmas Day win, scoring a game-high 29 points on 12-for-19 shooting.

3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needs some scoring help

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t the reason why the Thunder have yet to beat the Spurs this season. He has posted MVP-type numbers against San Antonio, averaging 28.0 points, 5.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds over three games.

What’s troubling for OKC is the lack of offensive help for SGA. Chet Holmgren, who is the team’s second-leading scorer this season, is averaging just 11.3 points per game against San Antonio.

Jalen Williams was contained in the Christmas Day loss, scoring just 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting. The Thunder will need to get more production from this star duo for them to have a chance against the Spurs.

All comments 6

basketball storm

The Spurs might be the only team in the entire NBA, and perhaps even the world, that hopes to face the Thunder in all 82 regular-season games, haha

3 months agoReply

Merlyn Moral

Nice

3 months agoReply

Karl Malong

Now it seems that the Thunder could use those high lottery picks in their hands to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo, and perhaps they could still beat the Spurs this way

3 months agoReply

Stephen B Smith

This is an actual matchup problem. The Thunder are the vastly superior overall team, but I might take the Spurs in a series.

3 months agoReply

Tracy McGravy

That’s what we wanna see! OKC found their team to beat

3 months agoReply

Anything Basketball

Could the secret to the Spurs' victory be having Wemby come off the bench?

3 months agoReply

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