Victor Wembanyama made a dazzling return from injury with 22 points as the San Antonio Spurs powered to an upset 111-109 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder to reach the NBA Cup final on Saturday. French prodigy Wembanyama -- playing after a 12-game absence following a month-long injury layoff -- led a superb performance from the Spurs to send Oklahoma City crashing to just their second defeat of the season.&nbsp;Reigning NBA champions Oklahoma City, who had gone into the game on the back of a 16-game winning streak, looked to be surging into Tuesday's final against the New York Knicks after going 16 points up in the second quarter. But the towering 7ft 4in (2.24m) Wembanyama led a relentless fightback from San Antonio, dominating at both ends of the court, to set up a pulsating victory.&nbsp;Wembanyama started on the bench and sat out the first quarter, but made a huge impact when he was brought in for the second. The 21-year-old's 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks came from just 21 minutes on court.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/new-york-knicks-reach-maiden-nba-cup-final-as-brunson-sinks-orlando-magic-1765684217480">New York Knicks reach maiden NBA Cup Final as Brunson sinks Magic</a>&nbsp;"I knew I had limited minutes so I had to make the most out of it," Wembanyama said. "Winning against a team like this, it might seem like it's just a game but it's a collective effort and it's not an easy thing.&nbsp;"It's only their second loss of the season. It means something."&nbsp;Wembanyama was one of four San Antonio players to finish with double figures, with Devin Vassell scoring 23, and Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox adding 22 apiece.&nbsp;"There were three or four guys who scored over 20 in our team. It just shows that everybody was involved," said Wembanyama. "It says a lot. And it says a lot about where this team is going to be in the future," he said.&nbsp;"This NBA thing: one thing to understand is that it will test your limits. And right now I've just come off 12 games' rest, so I'm fresh."&nbsp;Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder scoring with 29 points, while Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren added 17 points each.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Wembanyama started on the bench and sat out the first quarter, but made a huge impact when he was brought in for the second.

Victor Wembanyama made a dazzling return from injury with 22 points as the San Antonio Spurs powered to an upset 111-109 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder to reach the NBA Cup final on Saturday. French prodigy Wembanyama -- playing after a 12-game absence following a month-long injury layoff -- led a superb performance from the Spurs to send Oklahoma City crashing to just their second defeat of the season. Reigning NBA champions Oklahoma City, who had gone into the game on the back of a 16-game winning streak, looked to be surging into Tuesday's final against the New York Knicks after going 16 points up in the second quarter. But the towering 7ft 4in (2.24m) Wembanyama led a relentless fightback from San Antonio, dominating at both ends of the court, to set up a pulsating victory. Wembanyama started on the bench and sat out the first quarter, but made a huge impact when he was brought in for the second. The 21-year-old's 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks came from just 21 minutes on court. Also read | New York Knicks reach maiden NBA Cup Final as Brunson sinks Magic "I knew I had limited minutes so I had to make the most out of it," Wembanyama said. "Winning against a team like this, it might seem like it's just a game but it's a collective effort and it's not an easy thing. "It's only their second loss of the season. It means something." Wembanyama was one of four San Antonio players to finish with double figures, with Devin Vassell scoring 23, and Stephon Castle and De'Aaron Fox adding 22 apiece. "There were three or four guys who scored over 20 in our team. It just shows that everybody was involved," said Wembanyama. "It says a lot. And it says a lot about where this team is going to be in the future," he said. "This NBA thing: one thing to understand is that it will test your limits. And right now I've just come off 12 games' rest, so I'm fresh." Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder scoring with 29 points, while Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren added 17 points each. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Wembanyama started on the bench and sat out the first quarter, but made a huge impact when he was brought in for the second.

Victor Wembanyama dazzles as Spurs beat Thunder to reach NBA Cup Final

Jalen Brunson powered the New York Knicks to their first NBA Cup final with a 132-120 win over the Orlando Magic in Las Vegas on Saturday. Star point guard Brunson scored a game-high 40 points to book a showdown in the mid-season tournament against the San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Knicks' in-form offense proved too hot for injury-hit Orlando, claiming a semi-final clash that extended New York's recent streak to nine wins from 10 games.&nbsp;"We came out here and did exactly what we said we wanted to do, which was play Knicks basketball," said Karl-Anthony Towns, backed Brunson with 29 points.&nbsp;The Magic had led 36-33 after making a rapid start to a breathless opening quarter -- earning the Knicks players some harsh and fiery words from coach Mike Brown in an early timeout.&nbsp;"The way they came out, physicality-wise, we weren't ready for it," said Brunson. "We bounced back and responded to that, and the way we played the rest of the game is a testament that first timeout."&nbsp;New York went on a tear at the start of the second quarter, capitalizing on a missed floating jump shot from Desmond Bane to take the lead through Josh Hart.&nbsp;The Knicks briefly relinquished their advantage soon after half-time, when Bane put the Magic back ahead with a running layup.&nbsp;But Orlando ultimately could not keep pace with Brunson, who late in the third quarter left opposing guard Anthony Black sat helplessly on the floor before executing a three-point step-back jumpshot.&nbsp;Orlando's Jalen Suggs managed a team-high 26 points, but failed to complete the game after suffering with an apparent injury to his left side.&nbsp;The Magic also felt the absence of Franz Wagner, their leading scorer this season.&nbsp;The NBA Cup, a mid-season knockout tournament now in its third year, is proving a hit with audiences and players. It now offers an tantalizing opportunity for the Knicks to win their first overall trophy since 1973.&nbsp;The reigning NBA champions Thunder will face Victor Wembanyama's Spurs in the second semi-final later Saturday, before the tournament concludes Tuesday.&nbsp;As well as the Cup title, players are competing for cash -- some $530,000 for each member of the winning team -- adding spice to matchups just weeks after the season openers.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

The Knicks' in-form offense proved too hot for injury-hit Orlando, claiming a semi-final clash that extended New York's recent streak to nine wins from 10 games.

Jalen Brunson powered the New York Knicks to their first NBA Cup final with a 132-120 win over the Orlando Magic in Las Vegas on Saturday. Star point guard Brunson scored a game-high 40 points to book a showdown in the mid-season tournament against the San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Knicks' in-form offense proved too hot for injury-hit Orlando, claiming a semi-final clash that extended New York's recent streak to nine wins from 10 games. "We came out here and did exactly what we said we wanted to do, which was play Knicks basketball," said Karl-Anthony Towns, backed Brunson with 29 points. The Magic had led 36-33 after making a rapid start to a breathless opening quarter -- earning the Knicks players some harsh and fiery words from coach Mike Brown in an early timeout. "The way they came out, physicality-wise, we weren't ready for it," said Brunson. "We bounced back and responded to that, and the way we played the rest of the game is a testament that first timeout." New York went on a tear at the start of the second quarter, capitalizing on a missed floating jump shot from Desmond Bane to take the lead through Josh Hart. The Knicks briefly relinquished their advantage soon after half-time, when Bane put the Magic back ahead with a running layup. But Orlando ultimately could not keep pace with Brunson, who late in the third quarter left opposing guard Anthony Black sat helplessly on the floor before executing a three-point step-back jumpshot. Orlando's Jalen Suggs managed a team-high 26 points, but failed to complete the game after suffering with an apparent injury to his left side. The Magic also felt the absence of Franz Wagner, their leading scorer this season. The NBA Cup, a mid-season knockout tournament now in its third year, is proving a hit with audiences and players. It now offers an tantalizing opportunity for the Knicks to win their first overall trophy since 1973. The reigning NBA champions Thunder will face Victor Wembanyama's Spurs in the second semi-final later Saturday, before the tournament concludes Tuesday. As well as the Cup title, players are competing for cash -- some $530,000 for each member of the winning team -- adding spice to matchups just weeks after the season openers. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

The Knicks' in-form offense proved too hot for injury-hit Orlando, claiming a semi-final clash that extended New York's recent streak to nine wins from 10 games.

New York Knicks reach maiden NBA Cup Final as Brunson sinks Magic

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Victor Wembanyama dazzles as Spurs beat Thunder to reach NBA Cup Final

New York Knicks reach maiden NBA Cup Final as Brunson sinks Magic