Oklahoma City Thunder @ San Antonio Spurs
Johnson, Barnes help Spurs fend off hard-charging Thunder for first NBA Cup victory, 110-104
SAN ANTONIO -- — Keldon Johnson scored 22 points, Harrison Barnes added 20 and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-104 Tuesday night without Victor Wembanyama for their first victory in the Emirates NBA Cup.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 32 points and Jalen Williams added 27 points for Oklahoma City.
The Thunder closed the game on a 27-12 run but were unable to score in the final minute.
Spurs rookie Stephon Castle, who had 10 points and eight assists, blocked Gilgeous-Alexander's layup with 22 seconds remaining and the Spurs leading 110-104.
San Antonio's Chris Paul added 14 points and 11 assists with the veteran point guard tossing in a 3-pointer as the shot clock was expiring to give the Spurs a 107-98 lead with 1:27 remaining.
Wembanyama and Devin Vassell missed their second straight game with leg injuries. Wembanyama is recovering from a bruised knee and Vassell has a sore left knee.
Oklahoma City was without Chet Holmgren, who is expected to miss two months with a fractured hip.
Thunder: After forcing 13 turnovers in the first half, Oklahoma City was only able to add seven more in the second half.
Spurs: Barnes was 3 for 7 on 3-pointers in scoring a season high.
Johnson threw down a one-handed dunk with 1:46 remaining in the first half after a crossover sent his defender tumbling to the court. With the arena buzzing in anticipation 30 seconds later, Johnson reset his feet and drained a 3-pointer to give the Spurs a 58-57 lead. It was part of a 25-3 run spanning the seocnd and third quarters that gave the Spurs a 74-58 lead three minutes into the second half.
San Antonio had lost its first five games in the NBA Cup.
Thunder: Host Portland on Wednesday.
Spurs: Host Utah on Thursday in the second of a three-game homestand.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Regular Season Series
Series tied 1-1
Game Information
- Referees:
- John Goble
- Ray Acosta
- Sha'Rae Mitchell
2025-26 Northwest Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 22 | 1 | .957 | - | W14 |
| Denver | 16 | 6 | .727 | 5.5 | W2 |
| Minnesota | 15 | 8 | .652 | 7 | W5 |
| Portland | 9 | 14 | .391 | 13 | L1 |
| Utah | 8 | 14 | .364 | 13.5 | L1 |
2025-26 Southwest Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 15 | 6 | .714 | - | L1 |
| San Antonio | 15 | 7 | .682 | 0.5 | L1 |
| Memphis | 10 | 13 | .435 | 6 | W1 |
| Dallas | 9 | 16 | .360 | 8 | W1 |
| New Orleans | 3 | 21 | .125 | 13.5 | L6 |

