Spurs get alley-oop from heated rival in NBA Cup journey to knockout round

The San Antonio Spurs are one win away from advancing to the Knockout Round of the Emirates NBA Cup, and they have their rivals, the Oklahoma City Thunder, to thank for it. When OKC handed the Lakers a loss on Friday night, it paved the way for the Spurs to control their destiny in Group B.

All they need is a win against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday to secure their spot in the next stage of the tournament.

The Emirates NBA Cup is a success and Spurs can win it

Many fans were skeptical when the NBA introduced the in-season tournament last year. But as we head into the final week of Group Play in its second season, it’s clear the players have embraced the competition. That intensity is what has made the NBA Cup such a success. The games are fast-paced, physical, and filled with playoff-like drama.

For years, the league has battled the perception that its regular season lacks excitement, particularly in the early months. With the NFL dominating the sports landscape, the NBA needed something to engage fans sooner. The NBA Cup has become a solution. The stakes are higher, the atmosphere is electric, and the players actually care about the outcome, translating to more intense action.

For Spurs fans, the stakes are even more personal. San Antonio has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but making it to the Knockout Round would be more than a milestone—it would be a statement. It’s been a long journey back to relevance for the Spurs, and a strong showing in the NBA Cup could signal their return to prominence.

The path hasn’t been easy. The Spurs’ lone Cup loss came at the hands of the Lakers in a hard-fought Cup opener. Since then, they’ve bounced back with impressive wins over Oklahoma City and Utah, putting them in a three-way tie for first place in Group B with Phoenix and OKC. The tiebreakers are razor-thin, but the math is simple: beat the Suns, and they’re in.

Spurs Nation will be glued to their screens on Tuesday night, hoping the team can rise to the occasion. A victory over Phoenix wouldn’t just mean a trip to the Knockout Round—it would be proof that this young squad is maturing under the bright lights of meaningful games.

The Silver and Black could even win the entire tournament, which would be a fitting way to announce their resurgence. Winning the NBA Cup could be the first step in showing the league that the San Antonio Spurs are back, and the rest of the NBA will have to take notice.