If you’re looking for a game that might end up being a turning point in this NBA season, circle the Spurs' win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinal. It wasn’t just a surprise-it was a statement.
The Thunder came into that matchup with a jaw-dropping 24-1 record, steamrolling their way through the league and drawing real comparisons to the all-time great regular-season teams. But just like in last year’s NBA Cup final against the Bucks, OKC left empty-handed.
Let’s be clear: the Thunder are still elite. They’re still the team most expect to be holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy in June.
But what San Antonio did on that stage? That was a shot across the bow.
Whether or not the Spurs are quite on OKC’s level yet, they made it clear they’re not far off-and they’re coming.
The most impressive part? Victor Wembanyama wasn’t even at full strength.
The 7'4" phenom was playing his first game back after missing a month with a calf strain. His minutes were limited, but his impact wasn’t.
He altered shots, changed the geometry of the floor, and reminded everyone why he’s already being talked about as a future MVP. For San Antonio to take down a juggernaut like OKC with Wemby still ramping up?
That’s the kind of win that gets locker rooms believing.
And it’s not just the fans or the media who are noticing. Draymond Green-never one to hold back-had high praise for Wemby and the Spurs on his podcast, The Draymond Green Show. Green, who had his own viral moment earlier this season when Wemby threw down a lefty alley-oop over him (the bucket didn’t count, but the message was loud and clear), spoke about how much he respects the way San Antonio is building.
“Everyone talked about is [OKC vs. the Spurs] a rivalry,” Draymond said. “And I loved Wemby’s answer.
He said, ‘They’re in a league of their own, this can’t be a rivalry. But when both teams start winning, then it can be a rivalry.’
I love that answer.”
That’s a veteran appreciating the poise of a young star who gets it. Rivalries aren’t born from hype-they’re forged in battles.
And while this win was a big one, it’s still just one game. The Spurs will need more of them.
They’ll need playoff series. They’ll need moments.
But the foundation is being poured.
And Wemby isn’t building this alone.
Draymond also gave a nod to Stephon Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year, calling him just as important to the Spurs’ rise as Wembanyama.
“I think the Spurs are just as lucky to have Stephon Castle as they are to have Wemby,” Draymond said. “Stephon Castle is a winner. He’s been a winner his entire life, and I think Stephon Castle has brought the winning ways to the San Antonio Spurs.”
That’s high praise from a guy who knows a thing or two about winning. Castle’s résumé is already stacked-an NCAA title at UConn, gold with Team USA at the 2022 FIBA U18 Americas Championship-and he’s only 21.
But what really sets him apart is his defense. Castle can lock up guards on the perimeter, which pairs perfectly with Wemby’s ability to erase shots at the rim.
Together, they give San Antonio a defensive backbone that’s already making life miserable for opposing offenses-even ones as explosive as OKC.
And this duo is just getting started. The Spurs are building something that could last a decade or more. If Dylan Harper, their other young talent, develops the way many expect, then we’re talking about a team that could go toe-to-toe with OKC for years to come.
Draymond, who’s lived through the rise of a dynasty with the Warriors, sees the signs. He knows what it looks like when a young core starts to figure it out. And while he’s still trying to help Golden State stay relevant in a league that’s moving fast, he can see the writing on the wall.
The Spurs aren’t just ahead of schedule-they’re planting their flag. And the Thunder? They might’ve just met their future rival.