The San Antonio Spurs are making a statement-and they’re doing it at the expense of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: “We have to get better as group. You don’t lose to a team three times in a row in a short span without them being better than you.
— Josue Pavón (@Joe_Sway) December 25, 2025
We have to get better. Look in the mirror, and that’s everybody from top to bottom, if we want to reach our ultimate goal” pic.twitter.com/g6tBBqGhOZ
After three straight wins over OKC in December, including a 117-102 Christmas Day rout and a 130-110 blowout just one day later, the Spurs have clearly found a formula that works. And while much of the spotlight has (rightfully) been on Victor Wembanyama’s dominance, the struggles of Chet Holmgren in this particular matchup are starting to raise eyebrows-especially among former players.
ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins didn’t mince words when discussing Holmgren’s performance against San Antonio. On Get Up, Perkins called out the Thunder rookie for what he sees as a lack of physicality in the face of Wembanyama’s assertive presence.
“I’ve got to get on my boy Chet Holmgren for a minute. He's playing soft in this matchup.
Victor Wembanyama wants the smoke,” Perkins said. “He's ducking that smoke right now-that hard foul that he had, and yelling and clapping at the free throw line.
Chet’s got to come with it next time they play the Spurs. It might be in the postseason, but he’s got to come with it because right now the Spurs are punking the Thunder, and they're making them look soft.”
That’s strong language, but when you look at the numbers, it’s hard to argue Holmgren has found his rhythm against the Spurs.
In Tuesday’s loss, Holmgren turned in one of his least impactful performances of the season: seven points, three rebounds, one assist, and a single block. Across the three losses to San Antonio this month, he’s averaging just 11.3 points on 41% shooting, including a cold 25% from beyond the arc, along with 7.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. Those are decent numbers in a vacuum, but they fall short of what the Thunder need from him-especially when matched up against a player like Wembanyama, who’s not just producing but setting the tone physically and emotionally.
Wembanyama, for his part, has been quick to shut down comparisons between himself and Holmgren. And based on their head-to-heads this month, it’s easy to see why.
The Spurs' rookie isn’t just playing well-he’s controlling the matchup and, in many ways, dictating the energy of the game. Whether it’s through emphatic blocks, rim-rattling dunks, or vocal leadership, Wembanyama has brought an edge that Holmgren hasn’t yet matched.
But this isn’t just about one-on-one battles. The Spurs, as a team, have completely outplayed the Thunder in this mini-series. In fact, after the third straight loss to San Antonio, Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t sugarcoat the situation.
“We have to get better as a group. You don’t lose to a team three times in a row in a short span without them being better than you,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
“We have to get better. Look in the mirror, and that’s everybody from top to bottom, if we want to reach our ultimate goal.”
That’s a telling quote from a leader who’s not afraid to be honest. The Thunder came into this stretch with a 25-3 record, and while they still sit at 25-6, the three losses to San Antonio have exposed some real issues-particularly in how they match up with a long, athletic, and aggressive frontcourt led by Wembanyama.
Meanwhile, the Spurs have quietly climbed to 23-7, now holding the second-best record in the Western Conference. For a team that many expected to be in the mix but not necessarily leading the pack, this run-including the three-game sweep of OKC-feels like a coming-of-age moment. They’re not just winning games; they’re winning them convincingly against elite competition.
As for Holmgren, there’s no doubt the talent is there. But this stretch has shown that against the league’s most imposing bigs-especially one who mirrors his own build and skill set-there’s still a learning curve.
The good news? He’s got time.
And with the possibility of a postseason rematch looming, there’s every chance we haven’t seen the last of this budding rivalry.
But for now, the Spurs own the matchup. And they’re doing it with swagger, substance, and a rising superstar who’s not afraid to let the league know exactly where he stands.