For their signature win of the season, the San Antonio Spurs needed every player that stepped on the court in their big win over the Oklahoma Thunder. Devin Vassell lead the team with 23 points while De’Aaron
Fox, Stephon Castle, and Victor Wembanyama each scored 22 points. If anyone was sleeping on the Spurs, they were awoken to the sound of a statement win over the history-seeking Oklahoma City Thunder, handing the defending champions only their second loss of the season.
Victor Wembanyama wants to collect NBA awards like Infinity Stones. The 20 minutes off the bench and exploding for 22 points, 9 rebounds with a +/- of 21 would certainly be a good start for his Sixth Man of the Year campaign.
For a moment as this fast break play was developing, I thought De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle were going to collide into each other. Fortunately, Fox did not slow down as he dished it off to Castle who made a difficult finish for the two.
This is a Julian Champagnie appreciation note. Champagnie did yeoman’s work on Saturday night, soaking up 27 minutes off the bench with 3 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block. The fifth year Spur is averaging a career-high 28 minutes per night as the team’s Swiss Army Knife type of player where he’s utilized for whatever role they might need him in.
Lob City 2.0? Well the mayor of Lob City (Chris Paul) was in attendance, and I’m sure he approved of this Castle to Wembanyama connection. It was good to see Wembanyama do typical Wembanyama things after a long layoff, but most impressively Castle showed off some accuracy and touch on his inbound direct to basket assist.
Beef: Season 2, starring Ali Wong, Steven Yeun, Victor Wembanyama, and Chet Holmgren. Burger King has the chance to make the coolest ad campaign ever.
The Contortionist strikes again. It’s amazing watching Castle bully his way into the paint and then sveltely make space for himself to guide the ball into the basket. Excuse my hyperbole, but he’s become elite in scoring in the paint.
Absolutely surgical. Medical students twenty years from now will be shown this clip and in awe and wonder they’ll ask, “Mr. Dr. Professor Doctor Teacher, why are you showing us these amazing basketball clips of Stephon Castle for our gallbladder removal class?”
De’Aaron Fox makes deliveries on and off the court. Who needs a t-shirt bazooka?
If you missed the game because you were too busy procrastinating and not buying/making Christmas gifts, here are the full-game highlights:
Next up, the Spurs take on the New York Knicks in the NBA CUP FINALS! in Fabulous Las Vegas on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
