The San Antonio Spurs are doing something we don’t see often in today’s NBA - they’re winning, they’re growing, and they’re not in a rush to chase the next big move. And after their 117-102 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Christmas Day - their third win over the defending champs in just 12 days - it’s becoming harder and harder to ignore what’s brewing in San Antonio.
At 23-7, the Spurs aren’t just ahead of schedule. They’re ahead of expectations. And maybe most importantly, they’re not letting that success push them into panic-mode thinking as the trade deadline approaches.
Beating the Champs, Again and Again
Let’s start with the obvious: beating Oklahoma City three times in less than two weeks is no fluke. The Thunder have been rolling through the rest of the league - they’re 26-2 against everyone else - but the Spurs seem to have figured out something the rest of the NBA hasn’t. San Antonio handed OKC its first home loss of the season and extended their own win streak to eight games in the process.
This isn’t just a hot stretch. It’s a statement.
The Spurs already knocked off the Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinal back on Dec. 13, then did it again earlier this week in San Antonio. Now, with another convincing win on Christmas Day, the rest of the league is starting to adjust how they view this team - and how soon they might be ready to contend.
But here’s the twist: while other teams feel the pressure to make a splash before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, the Spurs are staying cool. Around the league, there’s a growing sense that San Antonio won’t be chasing a headline-grabbing move. They don’t need to.
“They’re not just sitting back satisfied,” one rival executive said. “But they’re not going to force something like a blockbuster for Giannis. They can afford to be patient and smart.”
The Spurs’ Core Is Doing the Heavy Lifting
What’s driving this surge? Internal development. The kind of growth that doesn’t show up in flashy trade rumors but shows up every night on the court.
De’Aaron Fox led the way on Christmas with 29 points, putting on a scoring clinic in the first half with 21 before the break. Victor Wembanyama added 19 points and 11 rebounds - another double-double in what’s becoming a regular occurrence. And rookie Stephon Castle continues to look like a future star, dropping 19 points and dishing out seven assists.
San Antonio shot 53.6% from the field and held the Thunder to just 38.9% - a defensive effort that speaks to how locked in this group is right now. Dylan Harper’s dunk late in the third quarter pushed the lead to 91-74, and from there, the Spurs never looked back.
“This is like a playoff series,” Wembanyama said after the game, reflecting on seeing the same opponent three times in a short span. “We learned a lot on the tactical side… but I don’t want to say too much. Keep something for us.”
That mindset - learning, adapting, and keeping things close to the vest - is exactly what’s fueling this team’s rise. They’re not chasing shortcuts. They’re building something sustainable.
Trade Deadline? Only If It Makes Sense
Let’s be clear: the Spurs can make a move if they want to. They’ve got the draft picks.
They’ve got young talent. They’ve got flexibility.
But what they’re not going to do is make a trade just to make headlines.
League insiders say San Antonio’s front office is being selective, not stagnant. They’re looking for the right player, someone who fits their timeline and complements what they’re building - not someone who demands a total shift in identity.
Think less “superstar swing,” more “smart addition.” One executive pointed to the kind of trade Orlando made for Desmond Bane - a calculated move that didn’t blow up the roster but made the team better. Someone like Trey Murphy III, for example, could be a name to watch - a young, versatile wing who fits the Spurs’ style and age range.
But again, that kind of move would only happen if the fit is right. The Spurs are playing the long game, and they’re doing it well.
Beating OKC Isn’t a Signal to Rush - It’s a Sign They’re on the Right Track
Here’s the stat that really puts things in perspective: Oklahoma City is 26-2 against the rest of the league. Their only three losses?
All to San Antonio. According to ESPN Research, it’s the first time since the 1966-67 season that a team has suffered three of its first five losses to the same opponent.
That’s not just impressive - it’s historic.
And yet, the Spurs aren’t treating it like a reason to shift into win-now mode. They’ve still got two more matchups with the Thunder on the calendar - Jan. 13 in OKC and Feb. 4 back in San Antonio - and they’re approaching those games the same way they’ve approached this season: as opportunities to learn, compete, and grow.
The wins are real. The foundation is solid. And the front office isn’t about to get jumpy just because the team is ahead of schedule.
Sometimes, the smartest move is no move at all. The Spurs know who they are - and that’s what makes them so dangerous.