Spurs Outlast Shorthanded Thunder In Gritty NBA Battle

The Oklahoma City Thunder entered Wednesday night’s showdown against the San Antonio Spurs facing an uphill battle few NBA teams would envy. With a staggering 10 players on the injury report—including all five regular starters—Oklahoma City was forced to field a skeleton crew in San Antonio. Just five players from the Thunder’s standard 15-man roster suited up, joined by three two-way players, leaving the team with only eight available bodies. Yet, despite the odds, the Thunder delivered a spirited effort that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the closing minutes.

The final score read 116-106 in favor of the Spurs, who extended their season-series advantage over the Thunder to 4-1. But the numbers only tell part of the story. The Thunder’s patchwork lineup, comprised mostly of end-of-bench contributors with the notable exceptions of Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins, refused to roll over. Instead, they clawed back from a deficit that at one point ballooned past 20 points, trimming the gap to just four in the clutch before San Antonio ultimately pulled away.

Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ rapidly rising superstar, anchored his team’s performance with a commanding 22 points and 14 rebounds. The French phenom delivered crucial plays on both ends, including a highlight-reel block followed by an alley-oop and-one finish that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. As NBA.com described, “What a sequence from Wemby!” Wembanyama’s presence was a constant headache for the depleted Thunder, who struggled to contain his length and athleticism all night.

Yet, the Thunder’s makeshift rotation was hardly short on heart or hustle. Kenrich Williams led the way with 25 points, stepping confidently into a starring role. Jaylin Williams was right behind him, notching 24 points and hauling in 12 rebounds for an impressive double-double. Aaron Wiggins, often a spark plug off the bench, poured in 20 points and set the tone offensively in the first half, keeping Oklahoma City within striking distance.

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise for Thunder fans was the emergence of rookie Brooks Barnhizer, who erupted for a career-high 14 points, including a red-hot 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. With the Thunder’s usual sharpshooters sidelined, Barnhizer’s confidence and accuracy from deep offered a much-needed offensive boost. In a rare statistical feat, all eight Thunder players who saw the floor managed to score, a testament to the team’s collective effort despite the circumstances.

“There’s not much to take away from a game like this from a team standpoint, but it was good to see multiple players step up,” noted one local report. The Thunder’s resilience was on full display as they refused to let the game slip away quietly, even as the Spurs threatened to turn the contest into a rout. With just over three minutes remaining, Oklahoma City trailed by only six points, 106-100, and the tension inside the Frost Bank Center was palpable. Could the Thunder’s patchwork lineup pull off the improbable?

San Antonio, however, had other ideas. The Spurs closed the game on a decisive run, fueled by Wembanyama’s dominance and timely contributions from their supporting cast. The win not only solidified San Antonio’s upper hand in the season series but also served as a reminder of their depth and cohesion, especially when facing an opponent so severely shorthanded.

The broader NBA landscape on February 4, 2026, was filled with drama and milestones. While the Thunder and Spurs battled in Texas, Russell Westbrook etched his name into the record books, passing Hakeem Olajuwon to move into 14th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Westbrook’s achievement was celebrated across the league, adding another chapter to the former Thunder star’s storied career.

Elsewhere, the New York Knicks outlasted the Denver Nuggets in a double-overtime thriller, with Jalen Brunson exploding for 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić combined for 69 points for Denver, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Brunson’s heroics. The Minnesota Timberwolves snapped a long-standing drought in Toronto, defeating the Raptors for their first road win there since 2004. The Boston Celtics cruised past the Houston Rockets, while the Milwaukee Bucks survived an overtime scare against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Memphis Grizzlies held on to defeat the Sacramento Kings, and the Cleveland Cavaliers routed the LA Clippers behind Donovan Mitchell’s all-around brilliance.

For the Thunder, though, the focus quickly shifts to recovery and regrouping. With a game against the Houston Rockets looming on Saturday, Oklahoma City hopes to get at least a few regulars back in the lineup. The team’s medical staff faces a race against time, and fans will be watching for updates on the status of key players.

The Thunder’s loss to the Spurs may not have been unexpected given the circumstances, but the grit and determination displayed by Oklahoma City’s reserves offered a silver lining. “All eight guys who touched the floor scored,” one report highlighted, underscoring the team’s refusal to quit. Such performances, while unlikely to change the standings, can foster invaluable growth and camaraderie within a young roster. For players like Barnhizer, Wallace, and Wiggins, these minutes under the bright lights of a tough Western Conference matchup could pay dividends down the road.

Meanwhile, the Spurs continue to build momentum as the postseason approaches. With Wembanyama leading the charge and the supporting cast rounding into form, San Antonio looks poised to make noise in the Western Conference playoff race. Their 4-1 season-series advantage over the defending champion Thunder is a statement in itself—and if these two teams cross paths in the playoffs, fans can expect another chapter in what’s quickly becoming a compelling rivalry.

As the dust settles on a wild Wednesday night in the NBA, one thing is clear: even in defeat, the Thunder’s fight earned respect. With a depleted roster and little to lose, Oklahoma City’s next-man-up mentality turned a potential blowout into a contest worth watching. Now, all eyes turn to Saturday’s matchup with Houston, where the Thunder will look to bounce back with renewed energy and, hopefully, a healthier squad.