Three times. The Spurs have beaten the defending NBA champions three times in a row now. On Christmas Day, in Oklahoma City, they walked into Paycom Center and dropped a 117-102 statement that nobody outside San Antonio saw coming.
Let me be clear: this isn't luck. This is a pattern.
De'Aaron Fox is cooking
When the Kings let Fox walk, plenty of analysts called it a necessary rebuild move. Sacramento's loss is San Antonio's gain, and it's not even close.
Fox went off for 29 points on ridiculous efficiency. At the half, he was 9-of-11 from the field. That's not just good shooting—that's complete offensive command against one of the league's best defenses. The Thunder have allowed opponents just 50.9% in the paint this season, the lowest mark in six years. Fox carved them up anyway.
The floater over Chet Holmgren that made Mark Jones lose his mind on the broadcast? That's not a lucky shot. That's a player who knows exactly where the gaps are in OKC's defensive scheme.
Wembanyama is doing Wembanyama things
Victor Wembanyama finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, but the numbers don't tell the whole story. His defensive presence changed everything Oklahoma City wanted to do at the rim. The Thunder took just 44.2% of their shots in the paint—their gameplan basically said "don't go anywhere near that seven-footer."
That dime to Dylan Harper for the jam? Pure basketball IQ. Wemby sees passes before they exist. He's not just a rim protector—he's becoming an offensive hub who can run the show from the high post.
Stephon Castle is the real deal
Here's a name you need to remember: Stephon Castle. 19 points, 7 assists, 8-of-11 shooting. The sophomore guard is stepping up exactly when San Antonio needs him to. While everyone focuses on Fox and Wembanyama, Castle is quietly becoming the third piece that makes this whole thing work.
His decision-making is mature beyond his experience. No forced shots. No hero ball. Just smart basketball that keeps the offense flowing.
What's wrong with Oklahoma City?
Let's talk about the Thunder. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points, extending his streak of 20+ games. Jalen Williams added his usual solid contribution. But something isn't clicking against this specific opponent.
The Thunder shot just 39% from the field. That's brutal for a team that usually finds efficient looks. The Spurs' defensive gameplan is working: force contested mid-range shots, pack the paint, make anyone other than SGA beat you from deep.
Oklahoma City got outscored 15-5 in fast break points. The defending champions are supposed to be the ones running teams off the floor, not the other way around.
Eight straight wins
This was San Antonio's eighth consecutive victory. That's not a hot streak anymore—that's a statement of intent. The Spurs have been the league's most improved team in both winning percentage and point differential. Their rebounding jumped from 27th to 5th in the league.
Something fundamental has changed in San Antonio. The pieces are fitting together in a way that suggests this isn't a fluke.
The bigger picture
Here's what matters: the Spurs now own the season series against the team everyone assumed would cruise through the Western Conference. Three games, three wins. When it matters in April, those head-to-head matchups matter.
Is San Antonio a legitimate title contender right now? That might be premature. But they're absolutely a team that can make any playoff opponent uncomfortable. And if you're Oklahoma City, you have to be asking some hard questions about why one specific team keeps exposing your weaknesses.
The Spurs have figured something out. The rest of the West should be paying attention.