Wembanyama, Fox lead San Antonio to eighth straight win; Knicks complete epic comeback and Rockets roll past Lakers in holiday slate.
The San Antonio Spurs delivered a defining Christmas Day performance, defeating the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder 117-102 to extend their winning streak to eight games. The victory marks the Spurs’ third win over the Thunder this season, solidifying their status as a formidable challenger.
Despite coming off the bench, Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama recorded 19 points and 11 rebounds, while De’Aaron Fox led all scorers with 29 points. Oklahoma City, which started the season 24-1, has now lost four of its last six contests, with half those losses coming at the hands of San Antonio.
“When you play a team of this caliber, the details are much more magnified,” said Spurs coach Mitch Johnson. “We did a phenomenal job.”
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points for the Thunder, who lost at home for the first time this season.
Knicks Erase Deficit in Thriller
In New York, the Knicks staged a stunning fourth-quarter comeback to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124. Trailing by 17 points with 10:25 remaining, New York closed the game on a 40-21 run. Jalen Brunson, who scored 34 points, hit the go-ahead three-pointer with just over a minute left to seal the victory.
Rockets Dominate Lakers
The Houston Rockets secured a commanding 119-96 road win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Amen Thompson paced the Rockets with 26 points, while Kevin Durant added 25. LeBron James, playing in his record 20th Christmas Day game, finished with 18 points for the Lakers.
Warriors Top Mavericks
In the nightcap, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Dallas Mavericks 126-116 behind 23 points from Stephen Curry. Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg scored a game-high 27 points in the loss.
