Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder bagged a sixteenth straight victory on Wednesday, thrashing Phoenix Suns 138-89 to romp into an NBA Cup semifinal conflict with San Antonio Spurs, which surprised the Los Angeles Lakers 132-119.
NBA Most Priceless Participant Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 factors to guide the reigning NBA champion Thunder, which improved to 24-1 to equal the perfect 25-game begin to a season in league historical past.
Thunder dominated from begin to end to ebook its place within the ultimate 4 of the in-season match in Las Vegas, the place it should tackle Spurs on Saturday.
New York Knicks and Orlando Magic additionally meet for a spot in Tuesday’s ultimate.
In Los Angeles, Stephon Fortress scored 30 factors and grabbed 10 rebounds and De’Aaron Fox added 20 to guide San Antonio, which beat Lakers regardless of the continued absence of French celebrity Victor Wembanyama.
Los Angeles Lakers ahead Lebron James (23) guards San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Fortress (5) in the course of the first half of their NBA Cup quarterfinal match.
| Picture Credit score:
Reuters
Los Angeles Lakers ahead Lebron James (23) guards San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Fortress (5) in the course of the first half of their NBA Cup quarterfinal match.
| Picture Credit score:
Reuters
Wembanyama missed his twelfth sport with a calf damage. However San Antonio has received 9 of its final 12, and coach Mitch Johnson mentioned earlier than the competition that Wembanyama was “very, very shut” to a return.
Seven Spurs gamers scored in double figures as San Antonio withstood a 35-point efficiency from Lakers star Luka Doncic.
Marcus Sensible returned from damage to attain 26 off the bench for the Lakers and LeBron James added 19.
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However Los Angeles struggled to discover a technique to decelerate the speedy Spurs, which held the benefit in fastbreak factors and second-chance factors and made 29 of 36 free-throw makes an attempt, whereas the Lakers had been 17 of 23 from the road.
On Wednesday’s proof, few would wager towards Oklahoma Metropolis finishing an NBA Finals-NBA Cup double after an outstanding efficiency earlier than its residence crowd on the Paycom Middle.
‘Excessive customary’
“We maintain ourselves to a excessive customary and most significantly it’s about us getting higher,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned after an offensive show that included 22 Thunder three-pointers.
“We simply moved the ball rather well. Performed collectively, very decisive on offense and tried to play via our consolation zone and after we try this we’re a reasonably good offense,” added Gilgeous-Alexander, who has now scored 20 factors or extra in 96 consecutive video games.
Oklahoma Metropolis is aiming to go one higher within the NBA Cup than it did final season, when it reached the ultimate solely to be upset by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Revealed on Dec 11, 2025