Las Vegas — December 12, 2025
The NBA Cup semifinals tip off Saturday night in Las Vegas with a compelling Western Conference showdown as the San Antonio Spurs face the Oklahoma City Thunder, a matchup that blends rising superstardom, championship momentum, and one of the most dominant starts in NBA history.
All eyes will be on Victor Wembanyama’s return as the Spurs attempt to derail a Thunder team that has been nearly unstoppable through the first quarter of the season. With a spot in the NBA Cup championship game on the line, this semifinal has quickly become one of the most anticipated games on the NBA schedule.
For fans searching for Spurs vs Thunder predictions, NBA betting odds, or where to watch the NBA Cup semifinals live, Saturday night’s game offers both elite basketball and high drama.
Thunder Chasing History With Historic Start
The Oklahoma City Thunder arrive in Las Vegas riding a wave few teams in league history have matched. At 24 wins in their first 25 games, Oklahoma City has tied the legendary 2015–16 Golden State Warriors for the best start over a 25-game stretch in NBA history.
Only one team has ever reached 25-1 to begin a season — those same Warriors, who went on to post a record-breaking 73-win campaign.
The Thunder’s dominance has not been subtle. They are currently on a franchise-record 16-game winning streak, with victories coming by an average of 20.8 points. Even more eye-popping: their last three wins were decided by a combined 100 points, showcasing both offensive firepower and suffocating defense.
For bettors analyzing NBA odds today or Thunder vs Spurs spread, Oklahoma City enters the semifinal as a heavy favorite — but postseason-style tournaments have a way of rewriting expectations.
Defending NBA Cup Champions Eye Another Trophy
Oklahoma City is also the defending NBA Cup champion, and their path through this year’s tournament has been dominant. The Thunder have won five straight NBA Cup games by an average margin of 24.8 points, including a jaw-dropping 138–89 demolition of the Phoenix Suns in the quarterfinals.
That performance reinforced the Thunder’s status as both a title favorite and a popular pick among fans looking to place NBA Cup futures bets.
A win over San Antonio would send Oklahoma City to Tuesday’s championship game against either the New York Knicks or Orlando Magic, who face off in the Eastern Conference semifinal.
Last season, Oklahoma City reached the NBA Cup final before falling to the Milwaukee Bucks. This time, motivation runs deeper.
“We should be in a good position,” reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We’re doing a lot better than we did last year. We’ll see how it goes and go out there and try to get two Ws.”
Victor Wembanyama Returns at the Perfect Time
While the Thunder bring momentum, the Spurs bring something just as powerful: Victor Wembanyama is back.
After missing 12 games with a calf injury, the 7-foot-4 phenom is set to return to the lineup, immediately altering both the matchup and the Spurs vs Thunder betting line.
“I feel great. I’m ready to go,” Wembanyama said during a media session in Las Vegas. “I think we’ve done the right things over however long it’s been, the past few weeks.”
San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson confirmed Wembanyama will play under a minutes restriction, though his presence alone changes how Oklahoma City must defend.
“I expect him to play,” Johnson said. “Still ongoing conversations of what that looks like.”
For fans tracking Victor Wembanyama injury updates, his return couldn’t come at a more critical moment.
Spurs Proving They’re More Than a Rebuild
Despite Wembanyama’s absence, the Spurs have quietly emerged as one of the season’s biggest surprises. San Antonio went 9–3 without Wembanyama, improving to 17–7 overall, a record that has sparked renewed interest among fans searching for Spurs playoff odds and NBA Cup upset picks.
Their most impressive performance came Wednesday night in a 132–119 quarterfinal victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, a game that showcased the Spurs’ depth and growing confidence.
Stephon Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year, delivered a breakout performance with 30 points on 10-of-14 shooting, adding 10 rebounds in one of the best games of his young career. De’Aaron Fox chipped in 20 points, controlling the tempo and providing veteran leadership.
Castle’s emergence has become a storyline of its own, driving interest in NBA player props and Rookie of the Year follow-ups.
De’Aaron Fox: Spurs Not Intimidated
Despite Oklahoma City’s dominance — including winning eight of the last 10 meetings between the teams — the Spurs are not entering the semifinal with fear.
“That team just won a championship. They’re on a roll right now,” Fox said. “Obviously, that’s a tough task. At the end of the day, we go into every game feeling like we can win. We have a group where we feel like we can beat anybody.”
Fox’s confidence underscores why this matchup has attracted attention from fans researching NBA live stream options, NBA game predictions, and underdog betting opportunities.
“Crazy things happen,” Fox added. “Anything can happen on any given night.”
Oklahoma City’s Lone Loss Still Lingers
As dominant as the Thunder have been, perfection slipped through their fingers once — and in stunning fashion.
On November 4, Oklahoma City suffered its lone loss of the season after blowing a 22-point lead against the Portland Trail Blazers, falling 121–119. That game remains a reminder that even historic teams are vulnerable.
Still, Gilgeous-Alexander insists the Thunder’s focus remains forward-looking.
“We hold ourselves to a high standard,” he said. “What’s important is getting better no matter where we’re at today. We want to be better tomorrow.”
That mindset has fueled Oklahoma City’s consistency and explains why they’re among the top searches for NBA championship odds and best NBA teams to bet on.
Ajay Mitchell and Thunder Depth Make the Difference
Beyond their stars, Oklahoma City’s depth has separated them from most contenders. Breakout reserve Ajay Mitchell has become a key contributor, providing energy, defense, and scoring off the bench.
“There’s something on the line,” Mitchell said. “It’s a great opportunity to come here and get better and try to go win it.”
Depth matters even more in tournament settings like the NBA Cup, where back-to-back games and neutral-site environments test rotations. For analysts crafting Spurs vs Thunder predictions, Oklahoma City’s bench remains a major edge.
How Wembanyama Changes the Matchup
Even on a minutes restriction, Wembanyama’s return changes everything:
- Defensively, his rim protection disrupts Oklahoma City’s paint attacks
- Offensively, his spacing forces the Thunder to defend differently
- Psychologically, his presence boosts Spurs confidence
For fans placing NBA same-game parlays, Wembanyama’s blocks, rebounds, and scoring props become immediate focal points.
Oklahoma City will likely counter with pace, ball movement, and perimeter shooting, attempting to pull Wembanyama away from the rim and test his conditioning.
What’s at Stake in Las Vegas
Saturday’s semifinal is about more than advancing to the NBA Cup final:
- A Thunder win reinforces their status as the NBA’s best team and positions them for another trophy
- A Spurs upset would be one of the biggest surprises of the season and a defining moment in their rebuild
- For fans, it’s a must-watch event — driving demand for NBA tickets in Las Vegas, sports betting apps, and NBA streaming services
Final Outlook: Can Spurs Pull the Upset?
On paper, Oklahoma City has every advantage: momentum, depth, experience, and recent dominance. But basketball isn’t played on paper.
The return of Victor Wembanyama, combined with San Antonio’s confidence and recent success, creates the conditions for a competitive semifinal — and possibly a shocking result.
If the Spurs control tempo, protect the ball, and get efficient minutes from Wembanyama, they have a path. If the Thunder play to their standard, they may be unstoppable.
One thing is certain: the NBA Cup semifinals have delivered exactly what the league envisioned — elite competition, star power, and stakes that feel bigger than a regular-season game.
Saturday night in Las Vegas, history, momentum, and belief will collide.
