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On Christmas Day, the San Antonio Spurs secured a 117-102 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This win extends their impressive streak and marks their third victory over the defending champions in just two weeks. The rivalry between these teams intensifies, with their next matchup scheduled for January 13.
Spurs’ stellar performance
Leading the Spurs was De’Aaron Fox, who scored 29 points. His contributions were crucial in shifting momentum after the Thunder took an early lead. The Spurs demonstrated their shooting prowess, achieving a field goal percentage of 53.6%, while holding the Thunder to just 38.9% shooting efficiency.
Key players and statistics
Victor Wembanyama stood out with a strong performance, contributing 19 points and 11 rebounds. Stephon Castle also made an impact, adding 19 points and seven assists. The team’s unity was evident as they secured their position in the Western Conference, ranking second with a 23-7 record.
On the opposing side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the current league MVP, scored 22 points for the Thunder. However, his shooting performance was subpar, hitting only 7 of 19 attempts and ending a remarkable streak of 102 consecutive games with at least 20 points. Other notable contributions from the Thunder included Isaiah Hartenstein, who recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Chet Holmgren, who added 10 points and 12 boards.
Game dynamics and turning points
The contest began with Oklahoma City establishing an early lead, scoring their first seven field goals to go up 18-12. However, an explosive first-half performance by De’Aaron Fox, who scored 21 points, enabled the Spurs to rally back and secure a 69-60 lead by halftime. This shift in momentum proved crucial, allowing the Spurs to dictate the pace of the game.
As the game moved into the third quarter, the Spurs extended their advantage to 85-68. A defining moment of the quarter was a spectacular dunk by Dylan Harper, which further demoralized the Thunder and concluded the period with the Spurs leading 95-79. The Spurs maintained control throughout the final quarter, never relinquishing their lead.
Knicks pull off comeback victory
On Christmas Day, the New York Knicks achieved a remarkable comeback against the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning 126-124. The Knicks, spearheaded by Jalen Brunson, who scored 34 points, overcame a daunting 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter. This victory marked their third consecutive win on Christmas Day.
Key moments of the comeback
The Knicks’ bench proved vital in this turnaround, with Tyler Kolek and Mitchell Robinson providing the necessary energy. Kolek contributed significantly, scoring 16 points and delivering nine assists, while Robinson’s tireless work on the boards resulted in 13 rebounds. A turning point occurred when Brunson sank a crucial three-pointer with just over a minute remaining, highlighting a 13-2 run that closed the gap against Cleveland.
Despite a strong performance from Donovan Mitchell, who scored 34 points for the Cavaliers, the team was unable to secure their third consecutive victory. This loss represents a disappointing setback, particularly as they led for most of the game.
As the NBA season progresses, the Spurs and the Knicks are well-positioned to maintain their momentum. Meanwhile, the Thunder must regroup quickly to reclaim their top position in the conference standings.