Overview
- Oklahoma City advanced with a 138-89 win over Phoenix, improving to 24-1 to tie the best 25-game start in NBA history and extending its winning streak to 16.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points and Chet Holmgren added 24 as the Thunder won by 49, the largest margin of defeat in Suns history, with no OKC player exceeding 27 minutes.
- San Antonio eliminated the Lakers 132-119 on the road, led by Stephon Castle’s 30 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists, plus a 17-of-38 performance from three as the Spurs controlled the game for three quarters.
- Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said there is "very much" a chance Victor Wembanyama returns from a calf strain for Saturday’s semifinal against Oklahoma City.
- The NBA set Spurs–Thunder for Saturday night in Las Vegas and moved both teams’ Dec. 17 regular-season games to Dec. 18 for extra rest; Phoenix was without Devin Booker (groin) and Grayson Allen was ejected for a Flagrant 2 on Chet Holmgren.