When a post-game celebration becomes a moment
Victor Wembanyama addressed the crowd after San Antonio's dominant 130-110 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder, introducing what appears to be a new Spurs tradition: the Vikings Clap. The French star led fans in the synchronized celebration popularized by Iceland's national football team, creating a memorable post-match moment following the team's second consecutive win over the league-leading Thunder. The gesture, simple but powerful, connected players and fans in a way that post-game handshakes and quick waves never could. It's the kind of organic moment that becomes part of a team's identity if it sticks.
The Vikings Clap originated with Iceland's national team during their improbable Euro 2016 run, where players and fans performed the rhythmic clapping in unison to celebrate victories and build unity. Since then, it's been adopted by various teams across sports—Atlanta United in MLS, several European football clubs, and now potentially the Spurs. Wembanyama choosing this specific celebration makes sense given his European background and appreciation for football culture. But more importantly, it provides a visual signature for this Spurs team that's finding its identity around their 21-year-old franchise player.
Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs new tradition after Wins. 🔥🔥🔥 (via @NBA__Courtside) pic.twitter.com/UYaVlMeptI
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) December 24, 2025
The dominant performance that earned the celebration
The Spurs destroyed Oklahoma City 130-110, their second straight victory over the Thunder after beating them in the NBA Cup semifinals ten days earlier. Stephon Castle scored 24 points, Keldon Johnson added 25 off the bench, and San Antonio completely controlled the second half. Wembanyama finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and—most importantly—provided the defensive anchor that limited OKC to just seven free throw attempts while the Spurs shot 24. That disparity, combined with San Antonio forcing 15 turnovers while committing only eight, shows how thoroughly they outplayed the league's best team.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points on 14-for-22 shooting, but he got zero help from his supporting cast. Jalen Williams needed 18 shots to score 17 points, and Chet Holmgren went 3-for-10 while failing to impact the game defensively. The Thunder played the night before while San Antonio was rested, which explains some of the disparity, but this was still OKC's most lopsided loss of the season. The Spurs didn't just win—they dominated Oklahoma City at their own game, disrupting passing lanes, controlling tempo, and protecting the paint. That's the kind of performance that deserves a celebration.
Dylan Harper and Keldon Johnson's breakout contributions
While Wembanyama gets the headlines and led the post-game celebration, the Spurs won this game because of Dylan Harper and Keldon Johnson's performances. Harper, the rookie point guard, finished with 10 assists and five steals, attacking Oklahoma City's defense relentlessly and setting up teammates with precision passes. He took over the third quarter with aggressive drives, transition dunks, and defensive disruptions that gave San Antonio an eight-point lead they never relinquished. His willingness to challenge the Thunder's elite defense showed fearlessness that's rare for rookies.
Johnson came off the bench like "a lion in a cage," scoring 25 points on 10-for-16 shooting including the dagger three-pointer that pushed the lead to 18. He's been crucial as the Spurs' sixth man all season, providing instant offense and energy that changes games. Against OKC, he was unstoppable—attacking closeouts, finishing through contact, and spacing the floor with his shooting. When your bench player outscores the opposing team's second and third options combined, you're going to win comfortably. Johnson's consistency in this role has been one of San Antonio's biggest strengths.
Why beating OKC twice matters for San Antonio's confidence
The Thunder entered this game with the best record in the Western Conference, a defense that suffocates opponents, and a two-way superstar in Gilgeous-Alexander who's an MVP candidate. Beating them once in the NBA Cup semifinals was impressive. Beating them again by 20 points at home, dominating both ends of the floor, sends a message: the Spurs aren't just a feel-good young team anymore. They're legitimate contenders who can match up with the West's elite. That confidence matters heading into Christmas Day, when these teams meet again in Oklahoma City.
San Antonio's defensive performance was particularly impressive because they nullified OKC's biggest advantages. The Thunder thrive on forcing turnovers and getting to the free throw line. The Spurs committed only eight turnovers and limited OKC to seven free throws, essentially taking away the two things that fuel Oklahoma City's offense. That's not luck—it's disciplined basketball executed by a team that understands how to beat you. If the Spurs can replicate this performance on the road Christmas Day, they'll prove this wasn't a fluke but rather the blueprint for how to dismantle the league's best defensive team.
What the Vikings Clap means for team identity
Post-game celebrations become traditions when they're organic, repeatable, and meaningful to both players and fans. Wembanyama leading the Vikings Clap checks all three boxes. It's simple enough that everyone can participate immediately, distinctive enough to become associated specifically with the Spurs, and celebratory in a way that acknowledges both the team's performance and the fans' support. If the Spurs keep doing this after big wins, it becomes part of their identity—something fans anticipate, opponents notice, and media coverage highlights.
The timing is perfect because this Spurs team is defining itself right now. They're not the Tim Duncan-era dynasty anymore. They're not tanking for draft picks. They're a young, exciting team built around a generational talent who's comfortable embracing both basketball excellence and cultural moments that connect with people. The Vikings Clap fits that identity perfectly. It's European in origin, communal in execution, and confident in tone. If it sticks, it becomes part of the Wembanyama era's legacy in San Antonio—a visual signature that represents this specific team's personality and approach.
The Christmas Day rematch that will test everything
These teams meet again on Christmas Day in Oklahoma City, and the Thunder will be absolutely furious about getting blown out at home (well, in San Antonio, but you get the point). Mark Daigneault waved the white flag with three minutes left, pulling his starters after the Spurs built an 18-point lead. That's embarrassing for a team with championship aspirations, and OKC will come out aggressive trying to reassert their dominance. The Spurs proved they can beat the Thunder twice, but doing it three times in a row—on the road, on national television, on Christmas—would be a statement win that changes how people view San Antonio's ceiling.
The Vikings Clap will have to wait if the Spurs lose. But if they win? Wembanyama leading that celebration in Oklahoma City after handing the Thunder their worst home loss of the season would be iconic. It's the kind of moment that defines seasons, where a young team announces they've arrived by beating the conference's best team three straight times and celebrating with a signature tradition. Whether that happens or whether OKC reasserts themselves remains to be seen, but the fact that this matchup now feels like a genuine rivalry—complete with post-game traditions and bragging rights—shows how far the Spurs have come in just one season.