Takeaways, top moments as Thunder and Spurs advance to NBA Cup semifinals

With two spots in the NBA Cup semifinals clinched on Tuesday, Western Conference teams in the quarterfinals were on the clock on Wednesday.

The defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder hosted the Phoenix Suns in the first matchup before the San Antonio Spurs visited the Los Angeles Lakers.

Oklahoma City cruised to a dominant 138-89 victory, punching their ticket to Las Vegas. The victory marked the Thunder’s 16th straight of the season, their longest win streak in franchise history. They also boast a 24-1 record, tying the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors with the best 25-game start in NBA history.

Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 28 points, and center Chet Holmgren put up 24 points and eight rebounds. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with a whopping plus-minus of +43. The Thunder are no strangers to Vegas, reaching the NBA Cup final last season, where they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks.

In the later matchup, the Spurs defeated the Lakers 132-119 after leading by as many as 24. San Antonio had seven players in double-figures, led by a season-high 30 points from Stephon Castle plus 10 rebounds and 6 assists. De’Aaron Fox contributed 20 points with Keldon Johnson putting up 17 off the bench.

The Spurs fired on all cylinders on offense, shooting 45% from deep and 50% from the field, hindering any potential Lakers’ comeback. Their speed was on full display, too, putting up 27 fast break points. San Antonio had 16 points off 11 Los Angeles turnovers.

The Lakers have now trailed by by 20 or more in three of their last five games after trailing by 20 in just two of their first 19 games. Each of their seven losses this season have been double digits. Luka Doncic led Los Angeles with 35 points as well as 8 assists and 5 rebounds. Marcus Smart added 26 points and 8 3-pointers off the bench, while LeBron James had 19 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists.

The Thunder will face the Spurs in Las Vegas at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday.

Below are the takeaways from each game, as well as top moments and highlights.