Shai Gilgeous-Alexander offered no excuses after the 117–102 loss in which San Antonio beat Oklahoma City for the third time in two weeks.

His words are the key to understanding a defeat that goes beyond the final score and directly challenges the Thunder’s identity, now aware that they may have found a team truly capable of standing in their way.

We have to get better as a group. You don’t lose three straight games to the same team in such a short span unless that team is better than you. We have to grow. Look ourselves in the mirror – and that goes for everyone, top to bottom – if we want to reach our ultimate goal

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

OKC entered the Christmas Game intending to send a message, only to find itself once again chasing a more organized, more physical, and more consistent team over the full 48 minutes.

The Spurs controlled the tempo, found multiple offensive solutions, and responded with composure to every Thunder push, while Oklahoma City never truly looked like it had the game under control.

Gilgeous-Alexander did his part, extending his streak to 101 consecutive games with at least 20 points, but his performance failed to shift the momentum of the night.

The postgame message was clear: to pursue ambitious goals and realistically think about a second straight NBA title, a higher standard is required – one shared by the entire group. Not an isolated criticism, but a call for collective accountability.

San Antonio, meanwhile, confirmed that its growth is very real. Five players in double figures, a fluid offense, Fox’s constant impact, and Wembanyama’s efficiency off the bench all point to a structure that is taking shape. For OKC, the schedule moves on. For the Thunder, the reflection has already begun.