The San Antonio Spurs may have sent shockwaves through the league by snapping the Oklahoma City Thunder’s historic 16-game win streak in the NBA Cup semifinals, but Victor Wembanyama isn’t rushing to crown this matchup as the NBA’s next great rivalry. Not yet, anyway.
“I think we’re not quite there yet… it’s not like we are the second seed right now,” Wembanyama said after the win. “They’re in their own tier, but in the future, if we reach that level, it would be great to have a rivalry.”
That kind of self-awareness is rare from a 21-year-old franchise cornerstone, but it also speaks volumes about where this Spurs team is mentally. They know they’re building something - and they just might be ahead of schedule.
The win over the Thunder wasn’t just a statement; it was a glimpse into what San Antonio’s future could look like when all the pieces start clicking. Wembanyama was his usual dominant self, but it was the supporting cast that really turned heads.
First and second-year guards Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are developing fast, showing a level of poise and growth that’s hard to ignore. And with veterans like De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, and Keldon Johnson anchoring the backcourt, the Spurs are starting to find a rhythm on both ends of the floor.
This isn’t just a young team with talent - it’s a team that’s learning how to win. And that’s the part Wembanyama is most focused on.
“I think it's our first time playing everybody,” he said, reflecting on how the team is evolving. “My thoughts are just that we're already a solid team, already more than 20 games ago.
It's just experience. We're just figuring it out.”
That contrast between potential and polish is what separates San Antonio from a team like Oklahoma City right now. The Thunder, sitting near the top of the standings, have built an identity that runs deep - from the starting five to the end of the bench.
They play with consistency, confidence, and a shared understanding of what it takes to win on any given night. That’s the standard, and Wembanyama knows it.
“The difference with us and this team who is, I don't know, what are they 24-2? It's that we haven't had this many reps, recognizing what it takes and enjoying what it takes to win,” he said.
“This is our next step. Because this OKC team, they're not just first in the league, they're way ahead of everybody.
Because when you watch them, no matter who, whether it's the 12th man or the starting five, whether they're playing against the 15th seed or in any kind of game, they're playing the same way. They're enjoying the little things that make them win, and this is the next step we have to pass.”
That’s the kind of insight you want from your franchise player - not just acknowledging what it takes to win, but embracing the grind to get there. And make no mistake, the Spurs are on that path. They’re not just collecting wins; they’re building habits, chemistry, and an identity that could make them a real threat in the West sooner than expected.
Now, with a spot in the NBA Cup finals against the Knicks on Tuesday, San Antonio has another chance to show just how far they’ve come - and how far they still plan to go. The Thunder may not have a true rival yet, but if Wembanyama and the Spurs keep trending in this direction, that day might not be too far off.