NBA Cup: San Antonio Spurs Beat Oklahoma City Thunder To Book Final Berth
Here’s how much the NBA Cup semifinals against Oklahoma City meant to San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama: He grabbed the ball after a missed Thunder shot in the final moments, squeezed it and screamed in delight. Technically, it was just another game. It sure didn’t seem that way. Welcome back, Victor. The Spurs are headed to the NBA Cup championship game against the New York Knicks, after knocking off the defending NBA champion Thunder 111-109 on Saturday night in the tournament semifinals — just the second loss for OKC in 26 games this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes for a shot over San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) in the first half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/Ronda Churchill
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots the ball near Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) in the second half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/Ronda Churchill
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Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault watches the court in the first half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/Ronda Churchill
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Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jaylin Williams (6) and San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) collide while going for a rebound during the second half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/Ronda Churchill
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San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) prepares to shoot a free-throw in the second half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/Ronda Churchill
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) lands on the court during the second half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/Ronda Churchill
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center, tangles with San Antonio Spurs' Keldon Johnson (3) and Stephon Castle (5) under the net in the first half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/Ronda Churchill
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Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) jumps up for a shot near San Antonio Spurs' Harrison Barnes (40) and Luke Kornet (7) in the first half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/Ronda Churchill
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San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) sets to play the ball in the first half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/Ronda Churchill
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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) jumps to the basket near San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) during the first half of an NBA Cup semifinals basketball game in Las Vegas. | Photo: AP/Ronda Churchill