Both the San Antonio Spurs and visiting Oklahoma City Thunder will look to get back on track when they meet on Tuesday in a Western Conference Group B game of the NBA Cup.
The Thunder secured their first NBA Cup game win against Phoenix on Friday and share the top spot in West Group B with the Los Angeles Lakers. On the other hand, San Antonio lost its opening Cup game to the Lakers on Friday and has yet to secure a victory in five Cup games since the tournament began in 2023.
Oklahoma City is coming off a narrow 121-119 home loss to Dallas on Sunday, which snapped a three-game winning streak. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 36 points on 13-of-19 shooting and spearheaded a late comeback, hitting a 3-pointer with 25 seconds left to bring OKC within one possession.
Gilgeous-Alexander forced a jump ball, won possession, and was fouled with less than five seconds remaining. He made the first free throw and intentionally missed the second, but the Thunder couldn’t convert a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Oklahoma City struggled on the boards, being outrebounded 53-29, including surrendering 18 offensive rebounds. The Thunder have been without forward Chet Holmgren for the fourth straight game, and he is expected to be out until at least February due to a hip injury. Due to injuries to Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Jaylin Williams, the Thunder have resorted to a “small ball” lineup. Jalen Williams added 27 points for Oklahoma City, while Luguentz Dort scored 18 and Dillon Jones added 12.
The Spurs return home after a quick trip to Dallas, where they fell 110-93 to the Mavericks while missing forward Victor Wembanyama (knee contusion) and guard Devin Vassell (right foot injury management). Wembanyama is doubtful for Tuesday’s game.
San Antonio sorely missed those two players, being outscored by 20 points in a lackluster third quarter and failing to recover. Zach Collins led the Spurs with a season-high 20 points, while Sandro Mamukelashvili added 14, Julian Champagnie scored 13, Stephon Castle posted 12, and Chris Paul contributed 11. The Spurs have lost two consecutive games after winning a season-best two in a row.
The availability of Vassell, who would likely come off the bench, is yet to be determined for Tuesday’s game.
San Antonio’s next three games (and four of their next five) are at home. For the Thunder, Tuesday’s game is the first in a stretch of nine road games out of their next 11.
