Thunder-Spurs: Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Semifinals preview
Will Victor Wembanyama’s return be enough for the Spurs to slow down a Thunder team that has been firing on all cylinders?
LAS VEGAS — He burst onto the scene with force, delivering dominant play on both ends while showing a more refined, mature flow. That combination sent a clear message to the league: stopping Victor Wembanyama is a tall order.
And that sentiment echoes for Oklahoma City, who arrive at 24-1 and rolling like a well-oiled machine since opening night.
So here we are in the desert basketball oasis, ready to see which team’s order will prevail at tipoff on Saturday (9 ET, Prime). This Emirates NBA Cup West Semifinal poses a central question: can Wembanyama’s return slow the Thunder’s historic run?
Strangely enough, the Spurs have still managed to win without Wembanyama. They’re 9-3 this season when he’s out, a reality since his calf strain sidelined him on November 15. San Antonio opted for a cautious rehab, aware that calf injuries can escalate quickly if mishandled.
But Wembanyama returned to practice at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, did a round of drills, and gave a thumbs-up.
“I’m just a little tired,” he said. “But I’m feeling great. I think we’ve done the right things over the past few weeks—three weeks, a month—and I’m ready to go.”
This development isn’t just welcome for the Spurs; it’s a potential turning point for the entire league. When he’s on the floor, opponents have to rethink every drive to the rim, there’s more competition for rebounds, and matchups become significantly trickier for teams trying to contain a 7-foot-5 center who can damage defenses from the paint, mid-range, and beyond the arc.
And this is true for OKC, the league’s stingiest defensive unit and one of the best groups in history.
Victor Wembanyama delivered a season-opening showcase with 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a 125-92 Spurs win.
His debut was dazzling, hammering Anthony Davis and the Dallas Mavericks with a 40-15 night, and he followed it by a nine-block performance in New Orleans and 31 points against Brooklyn. The season carried a MVP-like flavor as he steadily improved.
When the calf injury struck, San Antonio stood at 8-4. With no clear timetable for his return—calf injuries can be unpredictable—the Spurs navigated a risky path. Yet they weren’t as vulnerable as expected.
The rotation responded collectively. Nearly every regular raised their level, and San Antonio did not suffer a losing streak. From De’Aaron Fox to Keldon Johnson to Stephon Castle to Devin Vassell and others, the Spurs found new, effective gears.
That’s why OKC understands this upcoming matchup could be different from the others, even with their own extraordinary form.
“They’re a really good team whether he’s playing or not,” said OKC guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “It’ll come down to the usual factors when you face strong teams—the X’s and O’s, attention to detail, 50/50 balls, physicality, and smart play. It should be a great test.”
There’s no denying the Spurs have improved in Wembanyama’s absence, but their ceiling clearly shifts when he’s back on the floor.
San Antonio hopes to simply resume normalcy on Saturday with their full roster and Wembanyama in the lineup. They’ll certainly manage his minutes, maintaining a careful balance between keeping him fresh and leveraging his impact.
Coach Mitch Johnson isn’t treating it as a debate. Caution will be the rule.
“Yes, he’ll be tired,” Johnson said. “He’s excited to be back, and in a game like this you’d expect an early substitution and a smaller load. But I can only expect him to want to get out there and contribute.”
That doesn’t mean Wembanyama won’t influence the game before the minutes cap.
“We want him to keep being himself,” said Fox. “We’ve looked great even when he’s been out, but his return adds to us offensively and defensively. We want him to continue playing the way he does.”
Either way, the Spurs face a formidable challenge. OKC is in a rare zone where they can close games with their depth, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is delivering two-way brilliance. Chet Holmgren is emerging with double-doubles, and Jalen Williams is back to form after a lengthy absence.
Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC on both ends, and the Thunder’s balance and efficiency seem nearly impeccable. Even on off nights for Shai, the roster can lean on reliable contributors and a defense capable of bailing out misfires.
It will likely require the Spurs’ best effort of the season to hand OKC a rare second loss. And even if Wembanyama doesn’t dominate in the fourth quarter, his presence brings confidence and versatility—the kind of impact that can swing a game.
“I’ve been really proud,” Wembanyama said. “It’s been hard to watch from my couch, but every night they’ve shown I have nothing to worry about. The basketball we’re playing is approaching my ideal—where everyone has a role, steps up when needed, and trusts each other. It’s beautiful to see.”
Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can email him at spowell@nba.com, find his archive here, and follow him on X.
