OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — De'Aaron Fox scored 29 points and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-102 on Thursday for their third win over the defending NBA champions in the past two weeks.
The Spurs also defeated the Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals on Dec. 13 and in San Antonio on Tuesday. The teams will meet again on Jan. 13 in Oklahoma City.
Victor Wembanyama had 19 points and 11 rebounds and Stephon Castle had 19 points and seven assists for the Spurs (23-7). San Antonio shot 53.6% from the field while holding the Thunder to 38.9%.
It was San Antonio's eighth straight win and Oklahoma City's second home loss of the season. The Thunder entered the day atop the Western Conference standings, with the Spurs in second place.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points, but the reigning league MVP made just 7 of 19 field goals. He scored at least 20 points for the 102nd straight game.
Isaiah Hartenstein had 13 points and 12 rebounds and Chet Holmgren added 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City started the season 24–1, the best record in the league through 25 games. Since then, the Thunder are 2-4, including three losses to the Spurs.
The Thunder made their first seven field goals to go up 18-12 before Fox helped the Spurs fight back. His 21 first-half points helped San Antonio go into the break with a 69-60 lead.
Midway through the third quarter, the Spurs extended their lead to 85–68, and late in the third quarter, Dylan Harper's dunk put the Spurs up 91–74. At the end of the period, the Spurs led 95–79 and remained in control.
Next
Spurs: Host the Utah Jazz on Saturday.
Thunder: Host the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
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