Spurs Outlast Shorthanded Thunder In Gritty San Antonio Showdown

In a matchup defined by adversity and resilience, the Oklahoma City Thunder traveled to Frost Bank Center to take on the San Antonio Spurs on February 4, 2026. What was supposed to be a regular-season Western Conference clash quickly turned into a test of depth and grit, with the Thunder fielding a shorthanded roster against a surging Spurs squad. By the final buzzer, San Antonio had claimed a 116-106 victory, but the story was as much about who played—and who didn’t—as it was about the final score.

Coming into the night, Oklahoma City boasted the NBA’s best record at 40-11, fresh off a dominant 128-92 win over the Orlando Magic just 24 hours earlier. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had led the way in that victory with 20 points and nine assists, while Isaiah Hartenstein notched his first career triple-double. Yet, the Thunder’s momentum was suddenly at risk: a wave of injuries sidelined nearly two-thirds of their standard rotation.

The Thunder’s injury report read like a who’s who of their core contributors. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain), Chet Holmgren (back spasms), Jalen Williams (hamstring), Isaiah Hartenstein (eye injury), Lu Dort (knee inflammation), Alex Caruso (adductor management), Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain), Nikola Topic (surgical recovery), Thomas Sorber (torn ACL), and Ousmane Dieng (traded, not with team) were all unavailable. In total, ten players from the 15-man roster were out, forcing head coach Mark Daigneault to rely on a patchwork lineup.

Despite the adversity, the Thunder’s available players refused to back down. The starting five—Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Kenrich Williams, and Jaylin Williams—took the floor determined to make a statement. And make a statement they did, especially in the opening minutes. Aaron Wiggins came out firing, pouring in 10 points in the first quarter, while Jaylin Williams contributed seven points and four rebounds. Brooks Barnhizer, pressed into early action, chipped in with two points and three assists. Still, the Spurs’ depth and firepower showed, as they jumped out to a 39-26 lead by the end of the first frame.

San Antonio, meanwhile, entered the contest with a 33-16 record and plenty of momentum of their own, having dispatched the Magic 112-103 in their previous outing. Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs’ rising star, had 25 points and eight rebounds in that win, and he continued to be a matchup nightmare for OKC. Alongside Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and Julian Champagnie rounded out the starting lineup, with Keldon Johnson providing a spark off the bench.

As the game progressed, the Thunder’s patchwork rotation fought valiantly. At halftime, the Spurs led 73-58, but Wiggins had already tallied 16 points and three assists, Jaylin Williams was up to 10 points and six boards, and rookie Brooks Barnhizer had contributed eight points and five assists. OKC shot an impressive 45% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc in the first half, but their defensive struggles were evident. Without their usual rim protectors and perimeter stoppers, they simply had no answer for the Spurs’ versatile attack.

Still, the third quarter saw the Thunder refuse to fold. Jaylin Williams, who would finish with 24 points and 12 rebounds, and Kenrich Williams, who ended the night with 25 points and nine boards, kept the game within reach. Aaron Wiggins added 20 points and six assists, showing off his developing offensive repertoire. By the end of the third, the Thunder trailed 95-85—a testament to their fight, considering their depleted bench. As one observer put it, “Good effort by OKC, which only had eight players available. But it falls to 40-12 on the season.”

The Spurs, for their part, leaned on their depth and timely contributions from their stars. Victor Wembanyama delivered crucial baskets and defensive plays, including a memorable block on a Williams three-point attempt and a series of easy finishes inside. Keldon Johnson was electric off the bench, pouring in 25 points and keeping the Thunder at bay whenever they threatened a comeback. De’Aaron Fox orchestrated the offense with poise, and the Spurs’ guard rotation—bolstered by Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell—proved too much for OKC’s makeshift defense.

San Antonio’s injury report wasn’t empty, either. Stephon Castle (adductor tightness), Dylan Harper (ankle soreness), and Kelly Olynyk (foot soreness) were all listed as questionable, with Jeremy Sochan (quad strain), Lindy Waters III (knee hyperextension), and David Jones Garcia (G League two-way) out. But the Spurs’ greater depth made the difference, especially as the game wore on and OKC’s legs grew heavy from extended minutes.

Beyond the court, the Thunder’s front office was busy as well. Earlier in the day, Oklahoma City acquired veteran center Mason Plumlee from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Ousmane Dieng and a 2029 second-round pick. However, Plumlee was expected to be waived, a strategic move designed to create roster flexibility and clear space following the Thunder’s recent acquisition of Jared McClain. The trade deadline loomed, and OKC’s front office was clearly thinking long-term, even as the team fought to maintain its position atop the Western Conference standings.

For fans tuning in, the game was broadcast nationally on ESPN and FanDuel Sports Network, with streaming available on Fubo. The betting world took notice of OKC’s lengthy injury list, flipping the odds in favor of the Spurs, who closed as 9.5-point favorites. SportsLine’s projection model, which simulated the game 10,000 times, projected an over total of 230 combined points, with the over hitting 65% of the time. The final score of 116-106 came close to that mark, reflecting the offensive capabilities of both squads—even in less-than-ideal circumstances.

Looking ahead, the Thunder will regroup and hope to get healthy before facing the Houston Rockets on February 7, followed by a challenging road trip to the Lakers and Suns. For the Spurs, the win solidifies their status as a legitimate threat in the West, especially as their young core continues to gel and deliver in big moments.

In the end, the night belonged to a Spurs team that capitalized on its depth, but the shorthanded Thunder earned respect for their relentless effort. With the NBA season heating up and the playoff race tightening, both teams left the Frost Bank Center with plenty to build on—and plenty to prove in the weeks ahead.