Victor Wembanyama is back just in time for the NBA Cup semifinals, but the challenge couldn’t be steeper. The Oklahoma City Thunder have been downright unstoppable all season, setting the stage for a fascinating clash on a neutral floor in Las Vegas.

Catch the game tomorrow, December 14th, 10:00 AM, Manila time.

San Antonio Spurs (17-7)

Projected starting five:

  • De’Aaron Fox
  • Stephon Castle
  • Harrison Barnes
  • Victor Wembanyama

Victor Wembanyama’s return changes the entire feel of this Spurs team. After missing 12 games with a calf strain, the unicorn—and notably, San Antonio didn’t just survive without him, they thrived. The Spurs went an impressive 9–3 during that stretch, showing real growth, confidence, and identity beyond simply waiting for Wemby to save the day.

That run was fueled by a true team effort. De’Aaron Fox brought pace and shot creation, Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell provided steady scoring, and veterans like Harrison Barnes and Julian Champagnie kept things organized. Luke Kornet gave them interior stability, while rookie Dylan Harper flashed poise well beyond his years. Over the last month, the Spurs rank third in the league in points per game, a testament to how freely the ball has been moving.

Now comes the ultimate test. Oklahoma City has been steamrolling everyone, and reintegrating Wembanyama against an elite defense won’t be simple. Still, this is a perfect stage for San Antonio to see how real its progress is—and to show that their future is arriving faster than expected.

Oklahoma City Thunder (24-1)

Projected starting five:

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
  • Lu Dort
  • Jalen Williams
  • Chet Holmgren
  • Isaac Hartenstein

At 24-1, there’s no other way to say it: the Thunder have been unstoppable. The defending champions are dismantling teams with ruthless efficiency, dominating games on both ends of the floor and rarely letting opponents hang around long enough to believe. This is talent, cohesion, discipline, and total buy-in.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to play at an MVP level, effortlessly controlling tempo and closing games. Jalen Williams has evolved into a dependable co-star, while Chet Holmgren anchors everything defensively and stretches the floor offensively. Around them, OKC’s supporting cast has been exceptional, especially on defense, where effort and communication never dip.

The numbers back it all up. The Thunder rank first in points allowed and defensive rating, second in points scored, and fourth in offensive rating. Most staggering of all is their league-best +17.2 net rating, far and away the top mark in the NBA. On a neutral floor, with a trophy on the line, Oklahoma City enters as the clear favorite, but the Spurs’ youth and fearlessness make this a matchup worth watching.

PICKS

Spread: Spurs (+10.5)
Over/Under: Over (232)