Get ready for a basketball showdown that promises to be nothing short of electrifying! The Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs are set to clash in the NBA Cup semifinals, and this matchup is loaded with intrigue. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite the Thunder’s near-perfect 24-1 record and their league-leading defense, the Spurs—sitting at 17-7—are no pushovers. Can the underdogs pull off an upset, or will the Thunder’s dominance prevail? Let’s dive in.
The stage is set for Saturday, December 12, 2025, at 9 p.m. EST in Las Vegas, where these Western Conference powerhouses will battle it out. According to BETMGM SPORTSBOOK, the Thunder are favored by 9.5 points, with an over/under of 225.5. But don’t let the numbers fool you—this game could go down to the wire.
The Thunder, boasting a staggering 20-1 record against conference rivals, are a defensive juggernaut. They allow just 106.2 points per game while holding opponents to a mere 42.7% shooting percentage. Leading the charge is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s averaging 32.6 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. And this is the part most people miss: Chet Holmgren has been on fire, averaging 24.0 points over the last 10 games.
Meanwhile, the Spurs aren’t just here to participate. With an 11-6 conference record, they’re a well-oiled machine, averaging 25.9 assists per game, led by Devin Vassell’s 2.5 assists. But here’s the twist: the Spurs score 120.1 points per game, a whopping 13.9 more than the Thunder allow. Will their offense crack Oklahoma City’s defense, or will the Thunder’s stinginess shut them down?
Keldon Johnson has been a consistent force for the Spurs, averaging 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, while Stephon Castle has been unstoppable lately, with 30.0 points and 10.0 rebounds over the last 10 games. But injuries could play a role: the Spurs will be without Victor Wembanyama due to a calf injury, while the Thunder are missing Nikola Topic (groin), Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle), and Thomas Sorber (out for the season with a knee injury).
Over their last 10 games, the Thunder are a perfect 10-0, averaging 126.3 points per game on 53.6% shooting. The Spurs, meanwhile, are 7-3, averaging 122.7 points per game on 47.3% shooting. But here’s the kicker: the Spurs’ opponents have averaged 121.2 points per game during that stretch, raising questions about their defensive consistency.
Bold prediction: This game will come down to whether the Spurs can outpace the Thunder’s defense or if Oklahoma City’s lockdown style will stifle San Antonio’s high-octane offense. And this is where you come in—do you think the Spurs have what it takes to pull off the upset, or will the Thunder march on to the finals? Let us know in the comments!
This story was crafted using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar, ensuring you get the most accurate and up-to-date insights.
