For Spurs, a big win full of promise for the future

« For the first time in my career, we’re winning more than we’re losing, so it’s a real pleasure. » Victor Vembanyama I can enjoy it. Since his arrival in the NBA, his Spurs have never accumulated as many signals in the green as with last night’s convincing win against the reigning champion.

« That says a lot about what the future holds (to this group)”, the book of the Frenchhyper productive despite false status of the 6th man (22 points and 9 rebounds in 21 minutes), at the end of this victory in the semifinals of the NBA Cup. A context never before known to his Spurs and him, as well as the playoffs that the franchise has been deprived of since 2019.

« Matches that have meaning, something is at stake “, sums up the Frenchman who, despite his lack of personal experience in this matter, still believes that these cup matches are ” not playoff level at all However, this meeting between the two youngest teams in the league ticked a lot of boxes for ranking among the major meetings of the year.

Without Vembanyama, the team grew

« All these games are moments and opportunities for further progress. Obviously, they are the defending champions, and they are what they are for a reason: they have earned the reputation they have. Being able to compete with teams like that, like in Los Angeles, right after our trip there, those are really opportunities for us to grow », insists Mitch Johnson.

His team came out of this victory already very encouraging for the future on the Lakers floor. That evening “Wembi” remained on the bench in civilian clothes. As in 11 previous meetings of Spurs. However, despite his absence, the Texans did better than limit the damage: 9 wins to 3 losses. In other words, the team continued to develop without its best player.

WE ARE GOING TO THE FINALS OF THE NBA CUP!!! pic.tvitter.com/HmzKInVmrI

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 14, 2025

« I’ve seen these guys improve over the last 12 games and do some great things, and I just wanted to contribute to that. », notes Vembanjame, who was finally able to play a meeting with all his teammates. Because yes, as his coach notes, it was their “ the first match with the complete team ».

« We are already a solid team, even more so than 20 games ago. It’s a matter of experience. We’re still on our feet, and the difference between us and this 24-2 team is that we haven’t had enough repetitions to understand what it takes and appreciate what it takes to win. This is our next step », projects its stellar interior.

Take inspiration from the Thunder method

And what better way to reach the next milestone than to beat the reigning champion? ” We want to continue to challenge ourselves and improve. And there’s no better way to do that than to play against the best “, retorts Johnson, when “Wemby” notices the consistency of the evening’s opponent: ” Whether they play against 15 or in any other type of match, they play the same way. »

What the Thunder could also do early in the season while amputating a few frames, like Jaylen Williams who had to wait a few weeks in the infirmary before being revived.

By not missing this first big meeting of the season, Spurs showed that they are not afraid of the moment. ” Some people are made for these moments, some are not, but we certainly are, and it shows. It wasn’t against anyone in front. I feel lucky to have this group, because everyone embraces this mentality and everyone is ready for these moments », he still enjoys the French.

« Our franchise is used to winning and is committed to this path. And this is not to disparage other franchises, but there are people who have been in our organization for a very long time who have laid the foundations and instilled the principles that have allowed this to happen over time. And while we haven’t been winning as much lately, many of these principles and ways of working haven’t changed or wavered. We just needed time to continue to progress with this group “, Johnson terms.