Keldon Johnson scored 25 points, Victor Wembanyama added 22 points and 14 rebounds, and the San Antonio Spurs led wire to wire in a 116–106 win over an injury-depleted Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, beating the reigning NBA champions for the fourth time this season.
De’Aaron Fox finished with 15 points and 10 assists, and rookie forward Carter Bryant matched a season high with 11 points as San Antonio won its second straight. The Spurs improved to 34–16, pulling within five games of Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City (40–12).
The Thunder were severely shorthanded, dressing just eight players and resting their entire regular starting lineup on the second night of a back-to-back. Reigning MVP and All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed the game with an abdominal strain.
Kenrich Williams led Oklahoma City with 25 points, while Jaylin Williams posted 24 points and 12 rebounds. Aaron Wiggins added 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting as the Thunder’s makeshift frontcourt of Jaylin Williams, Kenrich Williams and Wiggins combined for 69 points, including 36 in the first half.
San Antonio built early separation and never allowed the Thunder to get closer than single digits after halftime. Jordan McLaughlin, who had played just three minutes total over the previous three games, provided a spark with a 3-pointer that capped a 12–2 run bridging the first and second quarters and pushed the Spurs’ lead to 42–26.
The disparity in available players was especially evident late in the third quarter, when Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault had only three reserves preparing to check in while San Antonio held a 90–80 advantage, leaving no players seated on the Thunder bench aside from staff.
Oklahoma City has now dropped four of its last seven games. San Antonio, meanwhile, continued its dominance in the season series, having won the first three meetings — including a 111–109 victory in the NBA Cup semifinals on Dec. 13 — before Oklahoma City snapped the streak with a 119–98 win on Jan. 13.
Up next:
Thunder host Houston on Saturday.
Spurs visit Dallas on Thursday.
