After racing out to a red-hot 24-1 start and looking every bit the part of a team ready to defend its crown, the Oklahoma City Thunder suddenly find themselves navigating unfamiliar territory: adversity. In the span of just 10 days, the defending champs have dropped three of their last five, and two of those losses have come at the hands of a team few expected to be their early-season nemesis - the San Antonio Spurs.
Same opponent, two very different losses
Let’s not sugarcoat it - San Antonio has had Oklahoma City's number lately. But what’s fascinating is how the Spurs have done it.
These weren’t carbon-copy wins. In their first meeting during the NBA Cup, the Thunder simply couldn’t buy a bucket.
They shot just 41% from the field and a rough 24% from deep. It was one of those nights where the rim might as well have been covered in plexiglass.
Fast forward to Tuesday night, and the Thunder’s offense looked much more like itself - at least on paper. They hit 54% from the field and 40% from three.
That’s usually a recipe for a win, especially for a team as talented and well-coached as OKC. But despite the efficiency, they managed just one more point than they did in the earlier loss.
The shots were falling, but the scoreboard didn’t budge much.
So what gives?
Spurs’ depth flips the script
When a team puts up 130 points, the natural assumption is that a star went off - and with Victor Wembanyama on the roster, it’s easy to jump to that conclusion. But this time, it wasn’t the 7’4” phenom leading the charge. In fact, Wemby played just 23 minutes, finishing with a modest 12 points, five boards, and three assists off the bench.
Instead, it was San Antonio’s depth that stole the spotlight. Keldon Johnson came off the bench and dropped 25, setting the tone with his energy and shot-making.
Rookie Stephon Castle continued to show why the Spurs are so high on him, pouring in 24 points. Harrison Barnes added 20 of his own, giving the Spurs a balanced, multi-pronged attack that kept the Thunder on their heels all night.
This wasn’t about one guy taking over - it was about a team playing with confidence, cohesion, and a clear plan. And right now, that plan seems to be working against a Thunder squad that’s still trying to solve the San Antonio puzzle.
Christmas clash looms large
Now, all eyes turn to Thursday. Oklahoma City gets another shot at the Spurs - this time on the Christmas Day stage.
And while it’s just one game on the calendar, it feels like more than that. If the Thunder fall to San Antonio for a third time in under two weeks, it won’t just be a blip.
It’ll be a full-blown narrative.
For OKC, the matchup offers a chance to reassert control, to show the league that these recent stumbles are just part of the grind - not a sign of deeper issues. For San Antonio, it’s an opportunity to make a loud statement: that they’re not just a young, promising team - they’re a real threat in the West.
Two of the conference’s top squads. A growing rivalry.
And a national spotlight. That’s what’s on deck this Christmas.
And given how the last two meetings have gone, you won’t want to miss the third act.