Spurs Outlast Shorthanded Thunder In Resilient NBA Battle

On a night when adversity seemed to have the Oklahoma City Thunder cornered, the San Antonio Spurs seized their opportunity, prevailing 116-106 in a contest that was as much about resilience as it was about the scoreboard. The game, played on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, in San Antonio, marked the fifth meeting between these two Western Conference rivals this season. While previous matchups had been billed as can’t-miss showdowns, this one took on a different flavor, with the Thunder’s roster decimated by injuries and scheduling woes.

The Thunder entered the night with a staggering 10 players listed on the injury report, sidelining all five of their regular starters. The situation forced Oklahoma City to field only five players from their standard 15-man roster, supplemented by three two-way players. That left just eight available bodies, most of them end-of-bench contributors, save for Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins. The Spurs, meanwhile, were not at full strength either, but their depth and home-court advantage proved pivotal as the night wore on.

Despite the daunting odds, the Thunder’s patchwork lineup refused to roll over. The Spurs, led by the ever-impressive Victor Wembanyama, surged ahead by more than 20 points at one stage. Wembanyama, who has been the talk of the league all season, finished with a commanding 22 points and 14 rebounds. He seemed to be everywhere—blocking shots, finishing alley-oops, and energizing the San Antonio faithful. As the NBA’s official account put it, "The BLOCK and the and-1 FINISH on the alley-oop—what a sequence from Wemby!"

But the Thunder, battered and bruised as they were, mounted a spirited comeback. With just over three minutes left in the fourth quarter, the deficit had shrunk to a mere four points, electrifying the Oklahoma City bench and giving Thunder fans a glimmer of hope. ESPN captured the moment, noting, "Thunder rallying in San Antonio 106-100 Spurs with 3:37 to go." For a brief stretch, it looked as if the Thunder’s unlikely crew might pull off one of the season’s most improbable upsets.

Ultimately, the Spurs’ composure and depth won out. A late run sealed the deal, extending San Antonio’s season-series advantage to 4-1 over Oklahoma City. The result also underscored the Spurs’ growing confidence against a Thunder squad that, just weeks earlier, had handed them a decisive 119-98 defeat. Now, with the series in hand, speculation swirls about whether these teams could cross paths again in the playoffs. After all, both have spent much of the campaign jostling for position near the top of the Western Conference.

For Oklahoma City, the silver lining came in the form of individual performances. Kenrich Williams took on a leading role, pouring in 25 points and providing steady leadership on the floor. Jaylin Williams was equally impressive, tallying 24 points and hauling down 12 rebounds—a double-double that showcased his relentless motor. Aaron Wiggins, often a spark plug off the bench, stepped into the spotlight with 20 points, igniting the Thunder’s offense in the first half and keeping the game within reach.

Brooks Barnhizer, a name not often seen in the headlines, delivered a career night. The rookie guard knocked down four of his nine three-point attempts, finishing with a personal-best 14 points. In a game where every contribution mattered, Barnhizer’s timely shooting helped steady the Thunder during several crucial stretches. Remarkably, all eight Thunder players who saw the floor managed to score, a testament to the team’s collective determination despite the depleted roster.

“It’s a game the Thunder will quickly forget and move on to the next one, which comes Saturday against the Houston Rockets,” noted local coverage, capturing the team’s pragmatic approach to a grueling schedule. With so many key players sidelined, there’s little sense in dwelling on a loss that, under normal circumstances, might have played out quite differently. Instead, the Thunder will look to regroup, get healthy, and refocus for their upcoming matchup in Houston on February 7.

For the Spurs, the victory was another feather in the cap of a season that’s seen them exceed expectations. Victor Wembanyama’s continued evolution into a franchise cornerstone has been a storyline all year, and his performance against the Thunder only reinforced his status as one of the NBA’s brightest young stars. The win also gave San Antonio an important psychological edge in the season series, a factor that could loom large if these teams meet again with higher stakes on the line.

Around the league, it was a night filled with drama and standout performances. The New York Knicks outlasted the Denver Nuggets in double overtime, with Jalen Brunson exploding for 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists. The Minnesota Timberwolves snapped a long-standing drought in Toronto, toppling the Raptors 128-126 behind Anthony Edwards’ 30-point effort. Elsewhere, the Celtics cruised past the Rockets, the Bucks outlasted the Pelicans in overtime, and the Grizzlies and Cavaliers picked up impressive road wins over the Kings and Clippers, respectively.

Back in San Antonio, the focus remained on the Thunder’s perseverance and the Spurs’ ability to capitalize. As the final buzzer sounded, both teams could take something away—San Antonio, a hard-earned win and season-series bragging rights; Oklahoma City, a reminder of the importance of depth and the value of every player on the roster. “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,” reflected one Thunder analyst, summing up the night’s unusual circumstances.

Looking ahead, the Thunder’s immediate priority is getting healthy and returning to full strength. With a crucial game against the Rockets on the horizon, Oklahoma City fans will be eager to see which of the team’s stars can return to action. For the Spurs, the focus shifts to maintaining momentum and continuing to build on their recent successes as the playoff race heats up.

All things considered, Wednesday’s matchup was a testament to the NBA’s unpredictability—where even the most lopsided lineups can deliver moments of excitement and where every player, given the chance, can seize the spotlight. As the regular season barrels toward its final stretch, both the Thunder and the Spurs know that every game matters, every point counts, and every opportunity must be earned. The story of this season is far from finished, and if this game was any indication, fans are in for plenty more twists and turns before the final chapter is written.