Marc Daigneault breaks down the Spurs without Victor Wembanyama

OKLAHOMA CITY — For the third time in two weeks, San Antonio Spurs defeated head coach Mark Daigneault and the Oklahoma City Thunder with limited Victor Vembanyamacoming off the bench, in a 117-102 Christmas loss. With such a successful relationship, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander thinks the Spurs are the better team but Thunder. For Daigneault, San Antonio’s success goes beyond Vembanyama’s influence.

While Wembanyama, of course, was still involved in the Spurs’ 20-point rout of the Thunder on Tuesday, Daigneault reminded everyone during his postgame media availability of the Spurs’ success without their 7-foot-5 centerwho came off the bench in all three wins against the Thunder.

“They’re a really good team. He’s obviously a very impactful player, but he missed a lot of time and they didn’t miss a beat when he was out,” Daigneault said. “Then when he’s off the floor, they don’t miss a beat when he’s off the court. So that’s not surprising at all. They got really good players. They play well as a team. They’re well coached.”

“They’re doing very well, and he’s obviously impactful, and that adds to that. But it’s not like him and the rest of the team at all. They have a very good team,” Daigneault concluded.

De’Aaron Fox (29 points, 12-of-19), Stephon Castle (19 points, 8-of-11) and Vembanjama (19 points, 6-of-12) combined for 67 points on an efficient 26-for-42 shooting, including 5-for-9 from deep. Fox’s 3-for-4 from behind the 3-point arc led the way from deep, and Wemby went 2-for-3. Harrison Barnes scored 15 points, including 3-for-7 from deep, and rookie Dylan Harper added a dozen points in the Spurs’ all-hands-on-deck offensive production.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a fair tackle after the Thunder’s loss

While Thunder head coach Marc Daigneault highlighted the high talent the Spurs have around their All-Star center, Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took it a step further after the loss on Christmas Day. Thunder’s Gilgeous-Alexander thinks the Spurs are the better team but the defending champions.

“We have to get better as a group. You can’t lose to a team three times in a row in a short period of time without them being better than you,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We have to be better. Look in the mirror, and that’s everyone from top to bottom, if we want to achieve our ultimate goal.”

The Thunder will host the 76ers at the Paycom Center on Sunday.