Oklahoma City Thunder bagged a 16th straight victory on Wednesday, thrashing Phoenix Suns 138-89 to romp into an NBA Cup semifinal clash with San Antonio Spurs, which stunned the Los Angeles Lakers 132-119.
NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points to lead the reigning NBA champion Thunder, which improved to 24-1 to equal the best 25-game start to a season in league history.
Thunder dominated from start to finish to book its place in the final four of the in-season tournament in Las Vegas, where it will take on Spurs on Saturday.
The New York Knicks and Orlando Magic also meet for a place in Tuesday’s final.
In Los Angeles, Stephon Castle scored 30 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and De’Aaron Fox added 20 to lead San Antonio, which beat the Lakers despite the continued absence of French superstar Victor Wembanyama.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) guards San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first half of the NBA Cup quarterfinal between Spurs and Lakers.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) guards San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) during the first half of the NBA Cup quarterfinal between Spurs and Lakers.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters
Wembanyama missed his 12th game with a calf injury. But San Antonio have won nine of its last 12, and coach Mitch Johnson said before the contest that Wembanyama was “very, very close” to a return.
Seven Spurs players scored in double figures as San Antonio withstood a 35-point performance from Lakers star Luka Doncic.
Marcus Smart returned from injury to score 26 off the bench for the Lakers and LeBron James added 19.
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But Los Angeles struggled to find a way to slow down the speedy Spurs, who held the advantage in fastbreak points and second-chance points and made 29 of 36 free-throw attempts, while the Lakers were 17 of 23 from the line.
On Wednesday’s evidence, few would bet against Oklahoma City completing an NBA Finals-NBA Cup double after a superb performance before their home crowd at the Paycom Center.
‘High standard’
“We hold ourselves to a high standard and most importantly it’s about us getting better,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after an offensive display that included 22 Thunder three-pointers.
“We just moved the ball really well. Played together, very decisive on offense and tried to play through our comfort zone and when we do that we’re a pretty good offense,” added Gilgeous-Alexander, who has now scored 20 points or more in 96 consecutive games.
Oklahoma City is aiming to go one better in the NBA Cup than it did last season, when it reached the final only to be upset by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Published on Dec 11, 2025