THE San Antonio Spurs clinched their first-ever NBA Cup win on Tuesday night, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-104 in a dramatic West Group B showdown. Despite missing key players Victor Wembanyama and Devin Vassell, the short-handed Spurs rallied to secure the victory and improve their group stage record to 1-1.
Keldon Johnson led the charge for San Antonio with 22 points, while veteran guard Chris Paul posted a double-double, contributing 14 points and 11 assists. Paul’s pivotal 3-pointer with 1:27 remaining helped stave off a late surge by the Thunder.
San Antonio dominated the second and third quarters, scoring the final seven points of the first half and opening the second half with an 11-0 run. That burst extended their lead to 16 points heading into the final period. The Spurs appeared to have the game in hand with a 98-77 advantage early in the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma City, however, mounted a spirited comeback led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored a game-high 32 points. His 3-pointer with 1:22 left brought the Thunder within six points at 107-101, but San Antonio held firm, trading key baskets in the closing moments to secure the win.
Harrison Barnes contributed 20 points for the Spurs, while Julian Champagnie, Zach Collins, and Charles Bassey each added 12 points. Stephon Castle chipped in 10 points. Johnson’s explosive first half, featuring 17 points and five 3-pointers, set the tone for the Spurs’ offensive surge.
For the Thunder, Jalen Williams added 27 points, Cason Wallace scored 13, and Aaron Wiggins tallied 11. Luguentz Dort grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. Oklahoma City started strong, building a 10-point lead in the second quarter, but couldn’t maintain their momentum against San Antonio’s relentless scoring.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak for San Antonio and marked their first victory in the NBA Cup after losing all four games in last year’s tournament and their opener this season. Both teams now sit at 1-1 in Group B standings with two games remaining.
The Spurs will look to build on this momentum as they continue their NBA Cup campaign, while the Thunder aim to rebound in their upcoming group-stage matchups.