Oklahoma City Thunder dominates Suns in historic NBA Cup victory
After a thrilling series of pool play games and the knockout round, the NBA’s third annual in-season tournament has culminated in Las Vegas. The Oklahoma City Thunder made a resounding statement, crushing the Phoenix Suns 138-89, marking the most lopsided victory in NBA Cup history. This impressive win secured the Thunder’s spot in the semi-finals, where they will face the San Antonio Spurs, who pulled off a surprising upset against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Spurs stun Lakers in quarterfinal showdown
In a dramatic turn of events, the Spurs, missing their star rookie Victor Wembanyama, managed to deliver a blowout of their own against the Lakers. San Antonio’s balanced team effort was key, with seven players reaching double figures. Leading the charge was Steph Castle, who exploded for 30 points, followed closely by De’Aaron Fox’s 20 and Dylan Harper’s 13. The Spurs showcased resilience and depth, proving they can compete at the highest level even without their cornerstone player.
Thunder’s star-studded performance
The Thunder’s victory was fueled by an extraordinary performance from their stars. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the team’s superstar, dominated the court, finishing with 28 points in just 27 minutes. His stat line also included eight assists, two rebounds, two steals, and a block, while shooting an impressive 73% from the field, including 2-for-3 from three-point range and a perfect 3-for-3 from the free-throw line.
Jalen Williams contributed significantly with 15 points, five assists, five rebounds, and a steal. Meanwhile, Chet Holmgren showcased his prowess with 24 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and three blocks. The Thunder’s performance against a Devin Booker-less Suns team highlighted their dominance this season and reinforced their status as championship contenders.
A record-setting season ahead
With this victory, the Thunder have improved their record to 24-1, tying for the best start in NBA history through 25 games. They are currently riding a franchise-best 16-game winning streak, which they will put to the test against the determined Spurs on Saturday.
Injury updates loom large
As both teams prepare for the semi-final clash, injury statuses are a critical factor to monitor. Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson has indicated that Victor Wembanyama may be in line to return from his calf strain, a potential game-changer for San Antonio. On the other hand, the Thunder are dealing with the uncertainty surrounding Isaiah Hartenstein’s ongoing re-evaluation period, along with the status of defensive standout Cason Wallace, who left Wednesday’s game early due to injury.
What’s next for the teams?
The Thunder and Spurs are set to face off on Amazon Prime following the conclusion of the Eastern Conference semi-final between the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic, which begins at 4:30 PM CT. The Thunder-Spurs matchup is scheduled for 8:00 PM CT and promises to be an exciting contest. The outcome of this semi-final will serve as both a Cup game and a regular-season matchup, with the winners advancing to the championship game—an 83rd game for both teams this season—while the losers will resume their regular schedules.
In the high-stakes world of the NBA Cup, every performance matters, and both teams are eager to make their mark on this unprecedented tournament.
