On Dec. 25, 2025 in Oklahoma City, the San Antonio Spurs defeated the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 117-102. De’Aaron Fox led the Spurs with 29 points, Victor Wembanyama added 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Stephon Castle contributed 19 points and seven assists. San Antonio shot 53.6% overall and stretched its winning streak to eight games; the Thunder fell at home for only the second time this season. This was the third Spurs victory over Oklahoma City in the past two weeks (including an NBA Cup semifinal on Dec. 13 and a regular-season meeting in San Antonio on Dec. 23).
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Spurs 117, Thunder 102 on Dec. 25, 2025 in Oklahoma City.
- De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 29 points; Victor Wembanyama finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
- San Antonio shot 45-of-84 (53.6%); Oklahoma City made 37-of-95 (38.9%).
- Spurs improved to 23-7 overall and recorded their eighth straight win.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points but was 7-of-19 from the field; his streak of 20-plus points extended to 102 consecutive games.
- Thunder began the season 24-1 through 25 games but are 2-4 since, including three recent losses to the Spurs.
- Rebounds: Spurs 54, Thunder 57; Spurs had fewer turnovers (12) than Oklahoma City (7) but controlled much of the game tempo.
Background
The Spurs entered the matchup riding a surge that has lifted them to second place in the Western Conference, behind a Thunder squad that opened the season 24-1 and led the West through the first 25 games. San Antonio’s recent run has included postseason-style intensity in the NBA Cup and consecutive regular-season wins over Oklahoma City, creating a short-term rivalry narrative.
Oklahoma City came into Christmas Day as the defending NBA champions and a team built around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. The Thunder’s early dominance this season suggested continuity from their title run, but a 2-4 stretch after the 24-1 start — and the three losses to the Spurs — has introduced questions about matchup vulnerability and adjustments against elite frontcourt length.
Main Event
San Antonio established control early and carried a 69-60 halftime lead after Fox scored 21 points in the first half. The Spurs extended the margin in the third quarter, leading by as many as 16 and finishing the period with a 95-79 advantage. Dylan Harper’s dunk late in the third helped the Spurs maintain momentum into the fourth.
Victor Wembanyama’s two-way presence was a factor throughout: he hit a three in the second half and finished with a double-double (19 points, 11 rebounds). Stephon Castle orchestrated the offense with seven assists while adding 19 points, complementing Fox’s scoring and stabilizing San Antonio’s bench production.
For Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 but struggled from the field (7-of-19). Isaiah Hartenstein (13 points, 12 rebounds) and Chet Holmgren (10 points, 12 rebounds) recorded twin-double rebounding efforts, but the Thunder’s collective 38.9% shooting and inability to keep up with the Spurs’ efficiency determined the outcome.
Analysis & Implications
San Antonio’s offensive efficiency — 53.6% from the floor and 37.9% on three-pointers (11-of-29) — underpinned a convincing road victory. The Spurs’ spacing and Fox’s shot creation forced Oklahoma City into contested attempts, lowering the Thunder’s effective field-goal percentage. Continued role clarity for Wembanyama and reliable secondary scoring from Castle and bench contributors have turned the Spurs into a balanced threat.
Oklahoma City’s slump since the 24-1 start is not explained by one factor. The Thunder still lead the West in overall talent and size, but matchup problems against the Spurs’ length and switching schemes have produced inefficient shooting nights. Shai’s streak of 102 straight 20-point games underscores his consistency, yet single-player scoring cannot offset subpar team shooting.
In the near term, the Spurs’ eight-game win streak elevates expectations for their ceiling this season; maintaining that level will require continued health and depth. For the Thunder, the focus will be on correcting shot selection and finishing in the paint ahead of a rematch scheduled for Jan. 13 in Oklahoma City.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Spurs | Thunder |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 117 | 102 |
| Field Goals | 45-84 (53.6%) | 37-95 (38.9%) |
| 3-Pointers | 11-29 (37.9%) | 11-44 (25.0%) |
| Free Throws | 16-21 (76.2%) | 17-25 (68.0%) |
| Rebounds (Tot) | 54 | 57 |
| Assists | 20 | 23 |
| Turnovers | 12 | 7 |
The box score shows the Spurs’ superior shooting as the decisive edge. Although Oklahoma City collected more total rebounds (57 to 54), San Antonio converted a higher share of shots and attacked the glass efficiently on the offensive end (10 offensive boards). The Thunder’s 25 three-point attempts more than the Spurs — and a lower conversion rate — widened the scoring gap.
Reactions & Quotes
San Antonio’s staff framed Fox’s night as a leadership performance that opened the floor for teammates and changed the game’s momentum.
Spurs (postgame, paraphrased)
The Thunder acknowledged a poor shooting night and emphasized the need to regroup before their next homestand, pointing to contested perimeter shots and turnover timing as key correction points.
Thunder (postgame, paraphrased)
An independent analyst noted the series of recent Spurs wins over Oklahoma City — including the Dec. 13 NBA Cup semifinal and a Dec. 23 meeting — highlights matchup advantages that the Thunder must address tactically.
Basketball analyst (paraphrased)
Unconfirmed
- Whether the Thunder’s recent 2-4 stretch is primarily due to fatigue, matchup issues, or minor injuries has not been definitively established by team injury reports or officials.
- Any strategic roster changes or internal adjustments planned by either team ahead of their Jan. 13 rematch were not publicly confirmed at the time of this report.
Bottom Line
The Spurs’ 117-102 victory on Dec. 25, 2025 reinforced a brief but meaningful trend: San Antonio has repeatedly troubled the Thunder in recent meetings, winning three times in two weeks. Strong shooting balance, Fox’s scoring, and Wembanyama’s two-way presence fueled an eighth straight win and a statement road performance against the defending champions.
For Oklahoma City, the loss serves as a reminder that regular-season slumps can surface even for elite rosters. The Thunder will have chances to respond quickly — including a Jan. 13 rematch in Oklahoma City — and must improve shot quality and perimeter defense to avoid a prolonged slide.