The Thunder are already testing a historic season against the Spurs in Las Vegas; see the semi-finals

Current champions, the Thunder are already having a historic campaign. On Thursday, by eliminating the Phoenix Suns in the quarterfinals of the competition, with a 138-89 victory, they achieved their 24th victory in 25 games. They equaled the record, in this cup, of the emblematic Golden State Warriors of 2015/16. Now they are looking to reach the second consecutive final, in the third edition of the young tournament. Last season, they were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks in the finals.

Led by the 32.6 points per game of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, current MVP (best player in the league) and with the same backbone from last season, including Chet Holmgren, Luguetz Dort and Jalen Williams (who is gradually returning after right wrist surgery), the champions will try to return to the application of their intense defensive style and flexibility against one of the emerging forces of the Western Conference, which they lead: the San Antonio Spurs, fifth place.

The phenomenon Victor Wembanyama should return in this decisive match. For four weeks, he has been recovering from a left calf injury. The French pivot had an impressive season, with 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.6 blocks per game. Even without him, the Spurs proved to be a very solid team, boosted by a productive core on the perimeter, led by the experienced De’Aaron Fox (24 points per game and 6.3 assists) and the young Stephon Castle (18.2 points and 7.3 assists). They won 9 of 12 matches without Wemby and eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers (132 to 119) in the quarterfinals.

In the East Semifinal, the New York Knicks, one of the most competitive teams of the last two seasons, come in with the second-best offense in the league and second in their conference. Coach Mike Brown has built a team that runs the ball well and makes good three-point shot selection. Player by player, the core remains the same since it was a conference finalist in the last playoffs: leader Jalen Brunson (28.3 points and 6.3 assists on average), center Karl Anthony-Towns (22.1 points and 12 rebounds) and winger Mikal Bridges (16.4 points). They left the Toronto Raptors behind them (117 to 101).

Among the four semi-finalists, the Orlando Magic are the only ones to have never lifted a trophy in the NBA ecosystem and to experience this opportunity in the World Cup. To continue dreaming, he will have to overcome, in addition to New York favoritism, the injury of winger Franz Wagner, the team’s top scorer this season. He has a problem with his left ankle. On the other hand, we can still count on Paolo Banchero’s 20.2 points per game and Desmond Bane’s 19. Fourth in the East, the team experienced some fundamental irregularities, but once again had one of the best defenses in the NBA. This promises a good duel on the perimeter with the Knicks. They eliminated the Miami Heat (117 to 108) in the quarterfinals.