Wembanyama takes down OKC: Spurs vs Knicks will be the NBA Cup final

San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks will face off on Tuesday in the NBA Cup final after a semifinal night marked by the tournament's big surprise: the fall of the Oklahoma City Thunder, league leaders and one of the most dominant teams at the start of the season.

In Las Vegas, the Spurs defeated Oklahoma City 111-109, halting the Thunder's 16-game winning streak. The Thunder, who had only lost one game all season, with a record of 24-1, aimed to continue approaching the best historical start in the NBA but faced a solid San Antonio team and the immediate impact of Victor Wembanyama in his return to the court.

The French center returned after missing 12 games due to a left calf injury and finished with 22 points and nine rebounds in just 21 minutes, with a +21 rating on the court. Despite limited minutes, his presence changed the game from the start, energizing the crowd, who chanted his name throughout the match. Devin Vassell led the Spurs in scoring with 23 points, while De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle contributed 22 points each.

Oklahoma City, who had lost last year's NBA Cup final to Milwaukee, suffered their second consecutive defeat in Las Vegas. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 29 points, supported by Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams with 17 points each, but it wasn't enough to keep the team afloat in critical moments. San Antonio narrowed the gap before halftime with a 13-point run and took the lead in the third quarter with a 10-0 stretch, setting the stage for a tightly contested finish.

The Knicks, on fire

Earlier, the New York Knicks secured their spot in the final by defeating the Orlando Magic 132-120, driven by an outstanding performance from Jalen Brunson. The guard scored 40 points, his first 40-point game of the season, leading the Knicks to their ninth win in the last ten games.

Brunson took charge in crucial moments, particularly after the Knicks squandered a double-digit lead in the third quarter. In addition to his scoring, he played a key role in facilitating play, finding OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson, and Mikal Bridges for crucial baskets that stabilized the team. New York managed to overcome Orlando once again, a team that had proven to be a tough opponent in previous matchups.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Wembanyama se carga a OKC: Spurs vs. Knicks será la final de la NBA Cup