By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Victor Wembanyama returned from a 12-game absence with 22 points and nine rebounds, as the Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder for their just second loss of the season.
The final score was 111-109 as the Spurs made it to the NBA Cup Final and will face the New York Knicks.
The Thunder carried a 16-game winning streak into this game. They now have a 24-2 record, the second-best start behind only the 25-1 record by Golden State in 2015-16.
The French star, who received “M-V-P” chants from the pro-Spurs crowd, came from the bench after being injured and made a difference. Teammate Devin Vassell scored 23 points, and De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle each scored 22.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 29 points, and German big man Isaiah Hartenstein added 10 points and nine rebounds.
The Knicks beat the Orlando Magic 132-120 with Jalen Brunson scoring 40 points. He also had eight assists and made 16 of 27 shots. Paolo Banchero scored 25 points for Orlando while German star Franz Wagner missed the game due to injury.
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Detroit Pistons 20-5
2. New York Knicks 18-7
3. Boston Celtics 15-10
4. Orlando Magic 15-11
5. Philadelphia 76ers 14-10
6. Cleveland Cavaliers 15-11
7. Toronto Raptors 15-11
8. Miami Heat 14-11
9. Atlanta Hawks 14-12
10. Milwaukee Bucks 11-15
11. Chicago Bulls 10-14
12. Charlotte Hornets 7-18
13. Brooklyn Nets 6-18
14. Indiana Pacers 6-19
15. Washington Wizards 3-20
Western Conference
1. Oklahoma City Thunder 24-2
2. Denver Nuggets 18-6
3. San Antonio Spurs 18-7
4. Houston Rockets 16-6
5. Los Angeles Lakers 17-7
6. Minnesota Timberwolves 16-9
7. Phoenix Suns 14-11
8. Golden State Warriors 13-13
9. Memphis Grizzlies 11-14
10. Dallas Mavericks 10-16
11. Utah Jazz 9-15
12. Portland Trail Blazers 9-16
13. Los Angeles Clippers 6-19
14. Sacramento Kings 6-19
15. New Orleans Pelicans 4-22
-Top 6 teams from each conference advance directly to the Playoffs
-Teams seventh through tenth from each conference advance to the Play-Ins