SAN ANTONIO – This was the game. One day we may look back and say that was the night we knew that this young Spurs team has turned the corner and should be taken seriously as a contender.

The Spurs shocked the defending NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup. OKC had won 16 in a row. They were 24-1, and there was talk of them making a run at the Warrior’s greatest record of all time.

But a funny thing happened on crowing them back-to-back champs; Victor Wembanyama returned for the first time in 12 games.

But Wemby was on a minutes restriction, and didn’t play at all in the first quarter – and OKC led by as many as 16. But Wemby sparked the Spurs in the second with his defense and his offensive rebounding. And then Wemby hit one from deep and the Spurs were down only three by halftime.

Then in the second half, Spurs fans saw that total team effort. De’Aaron Fox took over at times and finished with 22 points. Stephon Castle showed he’s a future all-star; he also had 22. And Devin Vassell hit big shot after big shot, leading the Spurs with 23.

And, oh yeah, Wemby had 22 points in just 21 minutes. Just dominated at both ends of the floor.

“It’s just incredible, because I’ve seen these guys for the last 12 games just get better, do some beautiful things. And I just wanted to be a part of it, you know. And I’m glad that we can still do it when I’m here. I have no doubt, of course, but I’m just glad to be part of something that’s growing to be so beautiful,” said Wembanyama.

And the Spurs get their biggest win in maybe seven years, 111-109.

It’s hard to quantify just how big this win is. Time will tell. It wasn’t just one of 82 regular season games. There was money on the line, and it was against the biggest, baddest and best in the NBA.

“Our guys have been excited about the cup,” said Spurs coach Mitch Johnson. “I think our guys are excited to play really good teams because they’ve earned that reputation. And so when you play the Oklahoma City Thunder, you’re getting the league’s best. And we are a competitive group, and we want to continue to challenge ourselves, to continue to get better, and there’s no better way to do that, but then to play the best you can.”

The Spurs considered it a test going in, and now that they passed it, beating the champs at full strength, it can’t help but do wonders for their confidence going forward.

“This is not a typical regular season game because we know if we lose, we’re out,” explained Wemby. “You know, some people are built for these moments. Some aren’t. But we definitely are, and it shows because it’s not against anybody that we won that game. So it’s just again, I feel lucky. I’m glad we have this group because everybody buys into this and everybody is built for these moments.”

If you missed it this weekend, we’ve got a new nickname for Dylan Harper and Steph Castle.

The warriors had the ‘Splash Brothers.’ The Spurs now have the ‘Slash Brothers.’

These two young guards can get into the paint and finish at the rim at will. They have given the team a whole new dynamic.

So now they play for the NBA Cup, the NBA’s midseason tournament. You think it matters?

The winning team gets over 500,000 bucks each. The losing team 200,000. So you bet it matters! This one Tuesday night in Las Vegas against the Knicks.

After that, the Spurs come home for one game against the Wizards on Thursday night. Then it’s back on the road at Atlanta on Friday and at the Wizards next Sunday.