The Spurs are looking like title contenders after posting their third win of the season over Oklahoma City, but the exuberance won’t change their plans with Victor Wembanyama‘s recovery from a left calf strain, Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News writes in a subscriber-only story. Wembanyama has been on a minutes restriction since returning from the injury, which sidelined him for 12 games. He has come off the bench in all seven games during that stretch and put up 19 points and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes in Thursday’s victory over the defending champs.
“I don’t know when it becomes unrestricted, but his minutes will be mindful for dot, dot, dot,” coach Mitch Johnson told reporters before the game. “There’s nothing that’s going to make us flinch or change on that. If this game goes into triple overtime, he will not be in the game. There’s no circumstances that will allow us to get outside of ourselves with that regard.”
Johnson added that Wembanyama agrees that the gradual ramp-up is in his best interest. He wasn’t able to play after the All-Star break last season due to deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder, and he wants to be available this year as San Antonio looks capable of making a long playoff run.
“Again, the emotions, the excitement, the circumstances of being in a Cup game, playing on Christmas, playing a big-time team, having a couple wins in a row, none of that is going to allow us or dictate to us in terms of the big picture of what we want for that young man and for this team,” Johnson said. “And so when you look at the injury and what history tells us in terms of being mindful of bringing a guy, a player back from that, and you look at his unique anatomy and all the things we want to accomplish, not today, not this year, but years to come, there’s nothing worth sacrificing or risking his long-term health and his long-term growth.”
There’s more on the Spurs:
- De’Aaron Fox was able to get the shots he wanted against the league’s best defense and helped the Spurs get off to a strong start by scoring 21 of his 29 points in the first half, Orsborn adds. Fox was determined to make an impression in his first appearance in the NBA’s holiday showcase. “This being my first Christmas game, I just wanted to have a good game and come out with a win,” he said. “We did that, and we did it from the jump outside of the first couple of possessions. I think we were really good throughout the course of the game.”
- The Spurs and Thunder both cited a playoff atmosphere as they met for the third time in less than two weeks, per Cliff Brunt of The Associated Press. OKC fell to 26-5, and according to ESPN, it’s the first time since the 1966/67 season that three of a team’s first five losses have come against the same opponent. With so many games left to play, Wembanyama was reluctant to say that Thursday’s outcome made a statement. “Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t,” he said. “But we’re focused on the rest of the season. It’s very long. We’re not even halfway through, so I’m not really sure it’s, I don’t know the word — I’m not really sure it’s smart to think so far into the future.”
- Thursday marked Keldon Johnson‘s 400th game with the Spurs, Orsborn notes in a separate story. Johnson also rec0rded his 25th career game with 20 or more points off the bench. “That’s my job,” he said. “I take pride in doing what my team needs me to do. And for me, it’s being an energy guy, being a leader, being whatever, being adaptable to whatever role I need to be in for my team to be successful. And I put my teammates first. I put my team first.”
Seatlle and Vegas added after the 26/27 season, OKC moved to the East, Spurs vs OKC finals until 2031. This is why the league is hardening its stance on tanking. Because nobody is going to have incentive to compete until these teams crack. Also pretty obvious that a key point of the tax aprons is to force teams stuck in the 2nd apron and are not competitive to unload talented players for pennies on the dollar to weak/cheap teams. Cleveland is staring down that barrel as we speak.
OKC is not being moved East. The Memphis Grizzlies or New Orleans Pelicans are more likely because they are way closer to the Orlando, Miami, ATL division. Wizards move to Atlantic.
OKC would move to the Texas heavy division maybe because Seattle would be in the division OKC currently in. Vegas can be in Pacific or the same as the Texas.
I think it’s gonna be Pels, Grizz, or Wolves… wolves wouldn’t make quite as much sense geographically, but they’re decently close to central and I’d vote to move them bc it’d boost the competitiveness of the East
Wolves are right there with Detroit, Chicago, and to an extent Cleveland.
The decision to move OKC to the east would be done to improve the east and allow for SAS OKC finals. Not a geographical decision. I do agree that NO or Memphis makes more sense.
Tax penalties don’t stop rich teams. Warriors, Lakers, Knicks. Celtics have shown that. With Tatum back. You think Boston won’t spend. Championship windows are not long.
Spurs are tough they match up well, but it is also December. Still a long ways off until playoffs. Trades are going to happen across the league and injuries will happen to teams.
They would only meet in the playoffs if they were to make it to the WCF. That won’t even be easy with Rockets, Denver, Minn as a certain opponent for each.
Spurs have been doing it with many of the stars missing games – Wemby, Fox and Harper. Add in Wemby’s restricted minutes and yet they still win, I’m finding it hard to believe anyone outside OKC and SA have a chance coming out of the west.
Nuggets have been down 2-3 starters most of the season still 3rd with a close record. They may not be able to go all the way, but they can get anyone out in the 2nd round. Jokic is that dominate. Murray when on they maybe the best combo.
Rockets did lose to some of the bottom teams, they have no PG. Sheppard is young but if they can get a Jrue, CJ McCollum in trade or buy out. They will be right back up there too. Don’t think Ja is the guy but he is also an option.
Minnesota also needs another guard, but in the playoffs they have made the last 3WCF. They may not make it this year, but that know how to turn up intensity in the playoffs.
Nuggets weren’t missing the Joker. Spurs were missing their three top players. For weeks. And one is still restricted.
My predictions:
Thunder are likely to win 68 games this season, see my details
As of Christmas Day 2025, the Thunder had 5 losses for the season, with Spurs accounting for 3. while the Blazers and Wolves had one each
My predictions this season (summary)
Spurs sweep Thunder 4 times
Nuggets beat Thunder 3 times (starting in February)
Entire East beat Thunder 2 times
Other West teams beat Thunder 5 times
2015-16 Warriors did not lose to any team twice.
So much respect for the way Keldon has modified his game and his role to help his team
Everyone is spotting into there roles well. Keldon should probably start getting 6moy consideration. His energy and hustle has been amazing. Vassell is doing great too, kornet has been great. He has great pick n roll chemistry with fox.
“not today, not this year, but years to come, there’s nothing worth sacrificing or risking his long-term health and his long-term growth.”
Good to see a team protecting their players. And thinking long term. All young players best yrs are ahead of them. Wemby is playing well. And 26 mins is a good showing.
Fox was traded for to lead this team. He is a solid PG, young vet. About to break out to major star status. Playing on a contender will give him a platform. And PG is what Spurs needed most. So that move is looking great. Once Wemby starts to play real mins. This team will start to move up. Fox is playing like an all star.
Keldon Johnson is a a nice talent. He has size and game. Spurs are loaded at the 2. And really can play just wings around Wemby. Teams should see what it would take to land Keldon. He can start for plenty of teams.
They acquired Fox because Sacramento was dumb enough to move him for what they offered. Not that they have Harper and Castle, Fox can go and be traded for a power forward, which they need.
Before everyone makes the Spurs into a contender take a breath and realize that 1. They are ahead of schedule and 2. They have a long way to go. They need someone thet can make an open 3, Wemby has to cut back on stupid plays and they can’t beat veteran teams rhythm now