Overview
- The Spurs listed Victor Wembanyama as probable after he was cleared post-practice, with the All-NBA big saying he is “feeling great” before his first game since a Nov. 14 left calf strain.
- Wembanyama missed 12 games during the layoff, while San Antonio went 9-3 without him and could manage his minutes on Saturday, according to coach Mitch Johnson.
- Oklahoma City enters Las Vegas on a 16-game win streak at 24-1, tying the 2015–16 Warriors for the best 25-game start, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a leading NBA Cup MVP candidate.
- The Thunder reached the semis after a 138-89 quarterfinal rout of Phoenix, while the Spurs advanced by defeating the Lakers behind strong guard play from De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.
- Saturday’s winners—Spurs vs. Thunder and Knicks vs. Magic—advance to Tuesday’s NBA Cup final in Las Vegas, with prize payouts of $530,000 per player for the champion and $212,000 for the runner-up.