How Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Embraces the OKC-Spurs Rivalry

So you’re telling me there’s a chance – Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs becoming the NBA’s best new rival in the Western Conference, which Shai Gilgeous-Alexander confirmed after Saturday’s 111-109 loss. Gilgeus-Alexander and Chet Holmgren were excited to learn from their loss to Victor Wembanyama and Spurs.

When a reporter asked Gilgeous-Alexander if the Thunder and Spurs could become the league’s new biggest rivalryhe didn’t see why not.

“Possibly, yes – there’s a good chance,” Gilgeus-Alexander replied. “They’re young — really good — they’ve got a lot of talent, they’re playing the right way. They’re playing a good brand of basketball. But, yeah, definitely, there’s a possibility. I’ve noticed that anything can happen in a few years. So, yeah, definitely a possibility. It’s not 100 percent. But definitely a possibility for sure.”

In his first game since Nov. 14, Wembanyama had 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 21 minutes off the bench in the Spurs’ win against the Thunder. San Antonio went 9-3 without Wembanyama, including 132-119 NBA Cup quarterfinal win against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell led the team through a successful stretch of games without their All-Star center. All three finished with 22+ points against the Thunder, while Vembanyama’s shooting off the bench on both ends of the floor limited Oklahoma City throughout the second half.

Add in elite three-point shooting — Vassell (4-9), Fox (3-7) and Castle (2-5) combined for 9-of-21 from behind the arc — stifling transition defense and rim protection from Wembanyama, and the Spurs were able to keep the Thunder at bay. San Antonio held Gilgeous-Alexander to 1-for-7 from deep and just four times to the free throw line.

At the same time, Wembanjama helped string together defensive stops and made back-to-back trips to the free throw line, where he helped the Spurs record the victory.

“This is not a regular game; this is not a typical regular season game,” Wembanyama said after beating the Thunder. “Because we know if we lose, we’re out. Some people are built for these moments, some people aren’t. But we definitely are, and it shows, because we’re not against anybody to win that game. I feel lucky. I’m glad we have this group because everyone buys into this, and everyone is built for these moments.

“For the first time in my career, we’re winning a lot more than we’re losing.”

While Vembanyama’s comments exude confidence in himself and the Spurs, many wondered if it was a little too much for the teams considered the Thunder’s biggest threat this season. Others considered Holmgren, who has been linked with Vembanyam as a rival since Wemby entered the league a year after Chet. He finished with 17 points on 3-of-8 shooting, including 1-for-3 from deep. Most of Chet’s scoring came from the free throw line, where he went 10-for-12.

Holmgren was the second overall pick in the 2022 draft. Vembanjama was selected first overall the following year.

Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ‘excited’ after Spurs loss

Thunder All-Star Shai Giljus-Alexander welcomes Spurs as a rival in the NBA. It is something that has been in the back of the mind of fans as a future threat to the defending champions. No one expected that to happen anytime soon, however, with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs entering the conversation as one of the Thunder’s most significant threats in the Western Conference.

Fortunately for fans, the Thunder and Spurs will face off in a Christmas mini-series, starting when the Spurs host the Thunder two days before their Christmas showdown at the Paicom Center.

“Personally, I think it’s exciting,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s easier to learn when you don’t feel the way you want. It stings a little more.”

“We’re also going to see these guys (twice in the next five) games. So it’s going to be a good challenge. Kind of like an automatic test, almost like in school. If you fail a test, you get a chance to test yourself again a few days later. That’s probably how it’s going to feel. Losing is where you grow and where you really get better.”

Improving as the defending champion is one of the many themes for this year’s Thunder, and perhaps the most important one is their all-time record of 24-2. Saturday’s loss to the Spurs, snapping a 16-game winning streak — the longest in franchise history — undoubtedly reinforces that approach.

“We can’t be spoiled,” Gilgeous-Alexander added. “We can’t think we’re above anything. We, along with every team in the league, if you show up one night and don’t do what it takes to win, you’re probably not going to win, no matter how talented you are or no matter what your record looks like.”

The Thunder will host the Clippers at the Paycom Center on Thursday.