December 15th is the unofficial start of NBA trade season, as free agents that were signed this offseason become eligible to be dealt. The rumor mill is already hard at work, with the Knicks a headliner in multiple rumors.

In recent days, Kris Pursiainen of ClutchPoints reported New York is interested in acquiring Donte DiVincenzo or Jose Alvarado, and ESPN1320’s James Ham reported they have shown interest in Dennis Schroder. DiVincenzo remains a fan favorite from maybe the best single-season Knick career in franchise history, while the other two are reliable, defensively stout guards, making for a natural group of targets.

What’s notable are their salaries: DiVincenzo earns $12 million and Schroder $14 million. If the Knicks are truly aiming to acquire one of them, in order to match salaries they’ll have to ship out half of their bench or one key player. 

Mitchell Robinson has been the longest tenured Knick throughout the Leon Rose era, making a huge impact on multiple playoff runs. But this is the final year of his contract, they didn’t agree to an extension, and historically the Knicks have traded players in similar situations before allowing them to walk in free agency.

Maybe this time is different, but Robinson’s health has been a major concern, his defense has dropped off dramatically, and his contract just so happens to be the only one that aligns with these reported trade targets. Are the Knicks gearing up to trade Robinson, and if so, should they?

If the former is true, it can’t be gleaned from reports of trade interest. On the rare occasion the Knicks have made a midseason trade, they weren’t pre-linked to their targets, and a report from an opposing team’s beat can easily be juicing the local player’s value for future talks. 

It’s possible New York wants the offseason flexibility and still re-signs Robinson this summer. He was immensely effective in the postseason and even with his struggles this year has been a beast on the offensive glass. 

The fact that his salary happens to match potential trade acquisitions means little, as complicated as combining salaries or roping in third and fourth teams are it still happens, and is an alternative route to secure these names. They could also just be interested yet not willing to move on from Robinson.

Should they be? The concerns about his health are legitimate, not having played a 60-game season since 2022 and being restricted this year. 

When he has played, he hasn’t looked the same defensively, with his mobility taking a big hit. With Robinson on the court, the Knicks are allowing 114.2 points per 100 possessions compared to 110.3 with him off, when historically he’s had the opposite impact.  

He’s been the same monster on the glass as usual, and is still their best option at backup center. Without Robinson, the Knicks are down to Guerschon Yabusele, Ariel Hukporti, and Trey Jemison III.

That’s one concern about trading him, though the Knicks could theoretically fill that gap in another move. Does moving Robinson and a Yabusele/ Pacome Dadiet/picks package for DiVincenzo/Schroder and a new backup five provide enough extra value to shake up team chemistry and avoid losing a free agent?

The answer likely depends on who New York can acquire on both ends. If DiVincenzo is actually in play, it’s hard for the Knicks not to consider this pattern of moves.

DiVincenzo would provide a jolt of shooting and creation in a system he’s especially equipped for, not to mention the narrative and aura surrounding such a reunion would take the city by storm. Schroder ironically may be the even better fit as a reliable ball handler and nosier defender. 

But if New York can’t backfill Robinson, it gets tougher. Perhaps they believe in Yabusele and Hukporti enough, or can somehow swindle a Daniel Gafford or JalenSmith. 

Even then, the upside and game-breaking impact Robinson can deliver in the Playoffs makes it hard to justify even a marginal on-paper improvement during a championship hunt. What’s more realistic is the Knicks are doing their due diligence on every front and exploring all avenues to maximize these upcoming playoff runs.

What that actually materializes in vis-a-vis a trade will more than likely be nothing from what we’ve seen. New York is especially low on chips and flexibility here, and won’t want to upset a 17-7 rolling Knicks team headed for the NBA Cup Championship. 

Still, anything is possible in this wild league and with this unforgiving franchise desperately pursuing its first title in 50 years. We’re sure to hear plenty more between now and February, but don’t read too much into it unless something finally happens. 

If you were hoping for an immediate big-splash response to losing Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz that would make you feel better about this Mets’ offseason, well, it’s clear by now that David Stearns just isn’t wired that way. 

Which is to say, Jorge Polanco is a solid player coming off a good season with the Seattle Mariners that included a few electric postseason moments. He’s just not a guy who’s going to send anyone running to buy season tickets. 

And that’s fine if he helps the Mets win a lot of games next season. Which remains to be seen, of course. 

For the moment, the timing of Polanco’s signing seemed to indicate that Stearns won’t be pushed into going big-game hunting no matter how outraged the fan base is by the events of this past week.

On the other hand, a potential trade with the San Diego Padres that has been reported — most heavily by The Athletic — in recent days could be of blockbuster quality, even if it apparently wouldn’t include Francisco Lindor or Fernando Tatis Jr.

More on that to come. 

As for Polanco, it’s not exactly a bargain contract, as $20 million a year seems to be pushing the envelope on value, given his inconsistent track record. But it’s only a two-year deal, or $40 million total, which is $115 million less than Alonso is guaranteed with the Baltimore Orioles. 

There is also the little matter of whether Polanco can play first base, which is where Mets’ people are saying they see him getting most of his at-bats. It’s notable because he’s virtually never played first base at the big-league level (one career game at first base, which came this past season), and though most middle infielders are a good bet to adapt well to the new position, it still adds some risk to the equation. 

It’s also thinking outside the box, to a degree, which is kind of what you want to see from Stearns after all the bloodletting this past week. Yet Polanco, whose 26 home runs last season was the second-highest total of his career, is hardly a guy who’s going to fill the power void left by Alonso’s departure. 

However, Stearns may think he can build an effective offensive team without big power. Consider what his old team, the Milwaukee Brewers, did last season, finishing third in the majors in runs scored despite ranking only 22^nd in home runs. 

Of course, the Brewers also finished second in the majors in stolen bases and had the fifth-fewest total of strikeouts, so they were a fast, contact-hitting team that would be hard for the Mets to emulate. They also were completely shut down in the postseason by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and indeed they’ve had little success in October in recent years.

Perhaps Stearns also had an eye on the Toronto Blue Jays, who had great success with a high-contact offense, including the second-fewest total of strikeouts. Polanco struck out only 84 times last season, which ranked in the 83^rd percentile of all major league hitters last season.

“What you’re seeing is David wants to build a team that is solid in all facets of the game,” one person who has worked for Stearns in the past told me. “He’s a sum-of-the-parts guy. I think he’d rather have grinders than stars.”

Polanco fits that mold. So does outfielder Ramon Laureano, who could be coming to Queens as well if the Mets make that multi-player trade with the Padres that has been reported in detail by The Athletic as being in the talking stages.

There is no indication that Lindor or Tatis Jr. would be part of such a deal, yet it could still fill a lot of holes for the Mets, as it reportedly could include starting pitcher Nick Pivetta, reliever and strikeout monster Mason Miller, as well as lefty reliever Adrian Morejon, who was dominant last season, and Laureano too.

Laureano isn’t the contact hitter that Polanco is, striking out 119 times last season in 132 games, but he hit .281 last season and he’s got some pop, as evidenced by his 54 extra-base hits and a .512 slugging percentage. Last year he ranked in the 93^rd percentile of all MLB hitters in expected slugging percentage, based on his quality of contact.

At age 31 he’s coming off his two best offensive seasons since 2019, and while he has very limited range in the outfield, according to Statcast, he does have one of the strongest arms in the game.

And Laureano is making $6.5 million on a team option in 2026 before reaching free agency next winter, which means he would come a lot cheaper than Cody Bellinger, not to mention Kyle Tucker.

Likewise, Pivetta could be a short-term answer to upgrading the starting rotation, coming off the best season of his career at age 32, with a 2.87 ERA over 31 starts and 181 innings. The righthander is due to make $19.75 million in 2026 and can opt out of the final two years of his contract (worth $33.5 million) after next season.

For the Mets to also get Miller, perhaps the hardest thrower in the game, in the same deal, it would take a huge package, but baseball people say the two teams do match up in terms of needs.

That is, the Padres are desperate for pitching, after losing Dylan Cease and (presumably) Michael King to free agency, as well as Yu Darvish to injury, and while the Mets would get Pivetta they could send back Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat, as well as David Peterson and perhaps Kodai Senga as well, in addition to a Mark Vientos or Ronny Mauricio.

It’s an intriguing possibility and, perhaps more to the point, it would fill some key needs for the Mets without dipping heavily into free agency.

“I’d bet on Stearns making some version of that trade (with the Padres) before I could see him giving (Framber) Valdez or (Ranger) Suarez a long-term deal,” said the person who once worked for Stearns.  “That’s just who he is. (Juan) Soto was the exception, and that was probably more (Steve) Cohen anyway. David wants to build something without committing to long-term contracts as much as he can.”

That’s becoming more obvious by the day.

Proving yet again that nobody combines excitement and entertainment like these guys, this week the Dodgers made baseball’s most important winter deal.

They acquired Timmy Trumpet.

In real life he’s an Australian impresario who, surprise, plays the trumpet. But in the breathtaking world of ninth-inning baseball, he’s the game’s most popular soundtrack.

It is Timmy Trumpet who plays the chillingly inspiring solo from “Narco” that accompanies closer Edwin Díaz from the bullpen to the mound. For the seven seasons Díaz played for the New York Mets, it was the coolest entrance song in the big leagues, creating the most intimidating scene in any ballpark anywhere.

And now it’s coming to Dodger Stadium, as the Dodgers and Díaz agreed this week to a three-year, $69-million contract that will include Timmy Trumpet rattling the bejeezus out of visiting teams who must be asking, do the Dodgers really have to buy everything?

Was it not enough for them to sign the best reliever in baseball? Did they also have to bring in the best ninth-inning atmosphere in baseball?

Yes, they do, and yes, they did, and if you haven’t witnessed the Edwin Díaz/Timmy Trumpet duet, Google it once and you’ll be hooked.

Upon his signing, the social media of Dodgers fans was filled with trumpet emojis. Even the venerable Dieter Ruehle posted a video of him playing the trumpet solo on the keyboard.

Welcome to LA, #EdwinDiaz ! #Dodgers#ITFDB#MLB#WinterMeetingspic.twitter.com/qxtfcn6SMj

— Dieter Ruehle (@DieterRuehle) December 10, 2025

In the pantheon of Dodgers entrance and walk-up songs, this immediately moves to the top of a playlist that has become ingrained in the hearts of fans who have come to associate the brief clips of music with the enduring heroics of their players.

From the late great organist Nancy Bea Hefley playing “Master of the House” for Orel Hershiser … to Kenley Jansen revving up the crowd with “California Love” … there is a rich history of Dodgers being identified by their accompanying music.

Read more:Analysis: Could Dodgers’ Edwin Díaz signing portend more big moves later this offseason?

This team is no different, with several songs reaching iconic status simply based on the splendid feats that spring from their chords.

One man’s nine best songs, in order of impact.

1. ”Narco” for Edwin Díaz

It is already the best Dodgers song and he hasn’t even shown up yet. Trust me.

Díaz chose it in 2018 when he played for the Seattle Mariners. When that became his 57-save breakout season, his wife advised him to keep it. After being traded to the Mets, he became so loyal to the song, he even asked it to be played in an empty Citi Field during the 2020 pandemic season.

In ensuing seasons the scene went viral, highlighted by an actual performance by Timmy Trumpet last summer. Expect the Dodgers to invite Mr. Trumpet to Chavez Ravine, maybe even for the opening series. Like so many things they have staged during these consecutive championship seasons, it will be an event.

2. ”We Are Young” for Clayton Kershaw

The pitcher is retired, but the song still warrants celebration on an emeritus basis.

Quick question: Has any Dodgers entrance hymn endured as long as this one? Dodgers fans have adult children as old as this song.

Another quick question: When you heard this song for the last time in the final months of this past season, did you surprisingly feel tears?

The perfect anthem for the perfect pitcher.

3. ”Bailalo Rocky” for Roki Sasaki

It’s not really a song, it’s a chant, bailalorocky, bailalorocky, bailalorocky with the “Rocky” sounding like, “Roki.”

It was chosen for the famously unhip Sasaki by Miguel Rojas in spring training and, by the time the kid pitcher returned from the disabled list to save playoff games, the fans were chanting it and dancing to it like few celebration songs in Chavez Ravine history.

“You can see it in Dodger Stadium … it was amazing,” Rojas told reporters before the World Series. “So electric, dancing on the bleachers in left-center field … I’m hoping everybody starts dancing to that song when Roki comes to pitch.”

4. ”Feeling Good” for Shohei Ohtani

Thank you, Michael Bublé, for singing what everybody is thinking every time Ohtani comes to the plate.

And thank you, Mamiko Tanaka, for making it happen.

“The coach of the Dodgers was nice enough to introduce me to Shohei, and I said to him, ‘Why did you choose my song?’” Bublé explained in an interview on “The Today Show.” “And very quickly he just turned to his wife … and it was his wife that chose it.”

Bublé added, “I’ll take it!”

He and about 4 million others.

5. ”Baila Conmigo” for Freddie Freeman

It played before Freeman’s game-winning grand slam in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series.

It played before Freeman’s game-winning home run in the 18th inning of Game 3 of this year’s World Series.

The horn solo at the beginning of this catchy tune has come to represent two words to Dodgers fans who now bounce to its beat.

Greatness coming.

6. “La Leche Materna” for Kiké Hernandez

Just like Hernandez’s Dodgers contributions, this tune saves its best for last.

The final 30 seconds of the song sound like, “Kiké, Kiké, Kiké” over and over again.

It’s weird, but also as powerfully effective as, say, a double play fly ball to end a World Series game.

7. A rotation of songs for Mookie Betts

Betts has walked out to a varied playlist, but his selections are included here because he can boast of one walk-up tune unmatched in baseball history.

He steps to the plate accompanied by an unreleased song written by Snoop Dogg just for him.

8. ”Amen” for Max Muncy

The chorus of this country song that accompanies Muncy to the plate appropriately begins, “Somebody say a prayer for me … ”

Considering all of his injury issues during his eight-year Dodgers career, fans have heeded that call.

Considering he holds the Dodgers record with 16 career postseason homers, those prayers have been answered.

9. ”Squabble Up” for Will Smith

His current Kendrick Lamar song is cool, but Smith is on this list in honor of a previous walk-up song that endeared him to Dodgers fans as that rare player who can laugh at himself.

This Will Smith once walked up to the theme from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Giants, Mariners front-runners to trade for All-Star Brendan Donovan, per report originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

While the Giants have been quiet on the free-agent market, they could look to upgrade their roster via trades, and they have their eyes on an All-Star National League second baseman.

The Giants and Seattle Mariners have emerged as the front-runners to acquire Brendan Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals, The Athletic’s Katie Woo reported Saturday, citing sources familiar with negotiations.

The 28-year-old Donovan has been a solid contributor for the Cardinals during his four-year MLB career, and he earned his first All-Star nod last season.

In 118 games last season, Donovan slashed .287/.353/.422 with 32 doubles, 10 homers and 50 RBI. In 2024, he recorded career highs in doubles (34), home runs (14) and RBI (73).

While Donovan primarily played second base in 2025, he predominantly played left field in 2024, so he would provide first-year Giants manager Tony Vitello with a versatile option.

Per Woo, the Giants and Cardinals have discussed several top prospects who could be part of a potential Donovan deal, including left-handed pitcher Carson Whisenhunt and first-round 2025 MLB Draft pick Gavin Kilen, who played for Vitello at Tennessee.

Whisenhunt, 25, made his long-anticipated MLB debut last season and struggled over 23 1/3 innings with the Giants. He posted a 5.01 ERA and just 16 strikeouts in five starts. But MLB Pipeline still had him ranked as San Francisco’s No. 7 prospect to end the season.

Kilen, a middle infielder who ranks as the Giants’ No. 3 prospect, hit .205 in 10 games with Low-A San Jose after being drafted No. 13 overall.

But Woo also reports, citing multiple team sources, that the Cardinals won’t trade Donovan unless they are “blown away by the return.”

So the Giants will have to come to the table with a strong offer and beat out the Mariners, who have one of baseball’s best minor league farm systems.

Donovan wouldn’t be a one-year rental, as he is arbitration-eligible in 2026 and 2027. MLB Trade Rumors projects that Donovan will earn $5.4 million in arbitration next season.

At the moment, Casey Schmitt is slated to get most of the reps at second base in 2026, but he underwent left wrist surgery this offseason and won’t start camp on time in February. He should be ready for spring training, though.

“We don’t think he’ll be slowed during spring training at all. He should be fine,” general manager Zack Minasian said on the “Giants Talk” podcast earlier in December. “I thought Casey made a lot of positive strides last year: At-bat quality, learning a new position, there’s still some upside there, and I’m excited to see what he can do going forward.”

If the Giants acquire Donovan, he could split time at second base with Schmitt while both players move around the field, making use of their versatility.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

LAS VEGAS — By the time a sweat-drenched Victor Wembanyama took his seat on the Spurs bench, having played the first 3 1/2 minutes of action in a month, a meeting with the champions that previously seemed out of reach suddenly wasn’t.

If the first quarter of Saturday night’s semifinal was a reminder of the reign of terror the Oklahoma City Thunder have enjoyed for months, the second was a reminder of the French force that refuses to bend the knee.

His introduction to the game — coming off the bench for the first time in his career — changed everything. The friendly skies that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had coasted in since October were now met with 7-foot-4 turbulence. Missed Spurs shots became simple second-chance opportunities for the gangly center. Half-court sequences that Oklahoma City would typically carry out in its sleep were now being second-guessed — with Wembanyama altering, deterring and erasing shots.

His early presence was felt in the box score, too. An 11-point lead was reduced to four. A 16-point lead was reduced to three, both in the span of a few minutes. When the halftime buzzer sounded, Wembanyama, despite playing only seven minutes, was already the leader in plus-minus (+20) by an overwhelming margin.

“I wasn’t really sure what to expect,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said of Wembanyama’s first-half performance. “I thought he did a phenomenal job of impacting the game without having to score. He was aggressive, he wanted to play with the basketball in his hand, but I thought he did a good job of impacting the game without having to score, especially in that second quarter that you referred to.”

And when the final five minutes of regulation rolled around, behind an emotionally invested crowd at T-Mobile Arena, the Spurs, those feisty, pesky Spurs who weren’t supposed to even be here, understood the assignment. As long as Wembanyama was on the floor, belief and confidence would germinate. His previous 12-game absence had thrust the team into unknown waters, forcing them to survive — and they responded by commanding the waves, winning nine of them.

So despite the fact that Wembanyama’s impact was contained within the confines of a minutes restriction — a combination of calf-strain management and the reality of the new 65-game rule for NBA awards — his teammates were ready to fill in the gaps when he couldn’t. Sixty-seven points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists from the trio of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell was more than enough to shoulder the load. And when it came time for Wembanyama to send the Thunder off into the night, he did so with aplomb; a 15-point fourth quarter against the reigning champs to push the Spurs to a 111-109 victory and into the NBA Cup final. Twenty-two points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and a steal in 21 minutes. A 16-game winning streak snapped. A hero returned. A statement made.

“​​It’s just incredible,” Wembanyama said. “I keep asking these guys for the last 12 games, just get better, do some beautiful things. And I just wanted to be a part of it. I’m glad that we can still do it when I’m here, I’m happy with that, of course. But I’m just glad to be a part of something that’s growing to be so beautiful. Pure and ethical basketball.”

For one glorious evening, the now-24-2 Thunder looked less like the most devastating team in the sport and more like a group that forgot just how impactful Wembanyama truly is. So as important as it is for the Spurs to advance to the NBA Cup final, it’s just as critical to understand what San Antonio can actually do with a fully healthy group. Saturday night was the first time all season the Spurs had all of their rotational contributors available, which, given what they were able to accomplish on a national stage, should terrify the rest of the NBA.

Johnson’s ability to navigate the Wembanyama-less terrain was admirable, an ode to the depth and roster building that general manager Brian Wright oversaw this past summer. But despite guiding the Spurs with the NBA’s No. 9 offense since mid-November, any hopes of sustained success were grim with a defense that ranked fifth-worst in the league, allowing 122.6 points per 100 possessions, according to Cleaning the Glass.

With Wembanyama back manning the middle, San Antonio’s defensive identity established months ago can recalibrate itself. The Spurs allow a stingy 106.5 points per 100 possessions in Wembanyama’s minutes, a mark that would rank second in the NBA behind … the Thunder. But it’s not just what the Spurs do while Wemby is on the floor, it’s how they do it. Opponents take nearly 9% less shots at the rim and 5% less shots underneath the free-throw line, an impact of the 99th and 98th percentile, respectively, according to Cleaning the Glass. Those same opponents see their conversion rates from those areas drop by over 10%, again in the 98th and 99th percentile. A seismic, stylistic shift like that can’t be understated, not in a vaunted Western Conference or in the entire league for that matter. In other words: Welcome back, Wemby.

“I think we’re on the right path,” Wembanyama said. “And for the first time in my career, we’re winning much more than we’re losing. So it’s a lot of pleasure, because — it doesn’t feel normal when we lose, but unfortunately, it’s things we have to go through. And we go through it again in the future if we need to, but we’re winning much more than we’re losing right now, so we are all where we like to be, we’re all where we want to be.”

The Spurs (18-7) now sit in fourth place in the West, just a half-game behind the second-seeded Denver Nuggets. According to Tankathon, San Antonio possesses the third-toughest remaining schedule, especially with two more meetings with Oklahoma City this month and dates with Cleveland and New York. But there’s an infectious confidence in this group from top to bottom, a youthful ignorance, if you will, that gives them an edge. Wembanyama will surely have increased confidence in his teammates having been able to witness their production from the best seat in the house. Fox, Vassell and Castle have shown they can keep an offense afloat, with the Spurs registering an impressive 117.3 points per 100 possessions when those three share the floor, per NBA.com tracking data — as well as a 105.7 pace rating that would rank tops in the league.

“I think we are very comfortable in recognizing Victor as the face of our franchise and the biggest piece of our puzzle,” Johnson said. “But he’s not the puzzle by himself, and he doesn’t want to be, and we are a team and we’re a group.”

“It’s just experience,” Wembanyama added. “We’re just figuring it out. Because this OKC team, they’re not just first in the league, they’re way ahead of everybody. They’re enjoying the little things that make them win, and this is the next step we have to pass.”

LAS VEGAS — By the time a sweat-drenched Victor Wembanyama took his seat on the Spurs bench, having played the first 3 1/2 minutes of action in a month, a meeting with the champions that previously seemed out of reach suddenly wasn’t.

If the first quarter of Saturday night’s semifinal was a reminder of the reign of terror the Oklahoma City Thunder have enjoyed for months, the second was a reminder of the French force that refuses to bend the knee.

His introduction to the game — coming off the bench for the first time in his career — changed everything. The friendly skies that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had coasted in since October were now met with 7-foot-4 turbulence. Missed Spurs shots became simple second-chance opportunities for the gangly center. Half-court sequences that Oklahoma City would typically carry out in its sleep were now being second-guessed — with Wembanyama altering, deterring and erasing shots.

His early presence was felt in the box score, too. An 11-point lead was reduced to four. A 16-point lead was reduced to three, both in the span of a few minutes. When the halftime buzzer sounded, Wembanyama, despite playing only seven minutes, was already the leader in plus-minus (+20) by an overwhelming margin.

“I wasn’t really sure what to expect,” Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said of Wembanyama’s first-half performance. “I thought he did a phenomenal job of impacting the game without having to score. He was aggressive, he wanted to play with the basketball in his hand, but I thought he did a good job of impacting the game without having to score, especially in that second quarter that you referred to.”

And when the final five minutes of regulation rolled around, behind an emotionally invested crowd at T-Mobile Arena, the Spurs, those feisty, pesky Spurs who weren’t supposed to even be here, understood the assignment. As long as Wembanyama was on the floor, belief and confidence would germinate. His previous 12-game absence had thrust the team into unknown waters, forcing them to survive — and they responded by commanding the waves, winning nine of them.

So despite the fact that Wembanyama’s impact was contained within the confines of a minutes restriction — a combination of calf-strain management and the reality of the new 65-game rule for NBA awards — his teammates were ready to fill in the gaps when he couldn’t. Sixty-seven points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists from the trio of De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell was more than enough to shoulder the load. And when it came time for Wembanyama to send the Thunder off into the night, he did so with aplomb; a 15-point fourth quarter against the reigning champs to push the Spurs to a 111-109 victory and into the NBA Cup final. Twenty-two points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and a steal in 21 minutes. A 16-game winning streak snapped. A hero returned. A statement made.

“​​It’s just incredible,” Wembanyama said. “I keep asking these guys for the last 12 games, just get better, do some beautiful things. And I just wanted to be a part of it. I’m glad that we can still do it when I’m here, I’m happy with that, of course. But I’m just glad to be a part of something that’s growing to be so beautiful. Pure and ethical basketball.”

For one glorious evening, the now-24-2 Thunder looked less like the most devastating team in the sport and more like a group that forgot just how impactful Wembanyama truly is. So as important as it is for the Spurs to advance to the NBA Cup final, it’s just as critical to understand what San Antonio can actually do with a fully healthy group. Saturday night was the first time all season the Spurs had all of their rotational contributors available, which, given what they were able to accomplish on a national stage, should terrify the rest of the NBA.

Johnson’s ability to navigate the Wembanyama-less terrain was admirable, an ode to the depth and roster building that general manager Brian Wright oversaw this past summer. But despite guiding the Spurs with the NBA’s No. 9 offense since mid-November, any hopes of sustained success were grim with a defense that ranked fifth-worst in the league, allowing 122.6 points per 100 possessions, according to Cleaning the Glass.

With Wembanyama back manning the middle, San Antonio’s defensive identity established months ago can recalibrate itself. The Spurs allow a stingy 106.5 points per 100 possessions in Wembanyama’s minutes, a mark that would rank second in the NBA behind … the Thunder. But it’s not just what the Spurs do while Wemby is on the floor, it’s how they do it. Opponents take nearly 9% less shots at the rim and 5% less shots underneath the free-throw line, an impact of the 99th and 98th percentile, respectively, according to Cleaning the Glass. Those same opponents see their conversion rates from those areas drop by over 10%, again in the 98th and 99th percentile. A seismic, stylistic shift like that can’t be understated, not in a vaunted Western Conference or in the entire league for that matter. In other words: Welcome back, Wemby.

“I think we’re on the right path,” Wembanyama said. “And for the first time in my career, we’re winning much more than we’re losing. So it’s a lot of pleasure, because — it doesn’t feel normal when we lose, but unfortunately, it’s things we have to go through. And we go through it again in the future if we need to, but we’re winning much more than we’re losing right now, so we are all where we like to be, we’re all where we want to be.”

The Spurs (18-7) now sit in fourth place in the West, just a half-game behind the second-seeded Denver Nuggets. According to Tankathon, San Antonio possesses the third-toughest remaining schedule, especially with two more meetings with Oklahoma City this month and dates with Cleveland and New York. But there’s an infectious confidence in this group from top to bottom, a youthful ignorance, if you will, that gives them an edge. Wembanyama will surely have increased confidence in his teammates having been able to witness their production from the best seat in the house. Fox, Vassell and Castle have shown they can keep an offense afloat, with the Spurs registering an impressive 117.3 points per 100 possessions when those three share the floor, per NBA.com tracking data — as well as a 105.7 pace rating that would rank tops in the league.

“I think we are very comfortable in recognizing Victor as the face of our franchise and the biggest piece of our puzzle,” Johnson said. “But he’s not the puzzle by himself, and he doesn’t want to be, and we are a team and we’re a group.”

“It’s just experience,” Wembanyama added. “We’re just figuring it out. Because this OKC team, they’re not just first in the league, they’re way ahead of everybody. They’re enjoying the little things that make them win, and this is the next step we have to pass.”

Victor Wembanyama made his return from injury for the San Antonio Spurs and helped them reach the NBA Cup final with a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The French sensation, who missed 12 games with a left calf issue, scored 22 points as the Spurs dramatically beat the NBA champions 111-109 in Las Vegas.

Wembanyama also registered nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks during his 21 minutes on court as the Thunder lost for only the second time in 26 games this season.

“I knew I had limited minutes so I had to make the most out of it,” said 21-year-old Wembanyama, whose team-mate Devin Vassell scored 23 points.

“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.”

• Chess, monks & Nasa – Wembanyama’s unusual pre-season

The NBA Cup is the competition’s annual in-season tournament, with all matches except the final also counting towards the regular season standings.

The Thunder were beaten in last year’s final by the Milwaukee Bucks and had a 16-game winning run ended by the Spurs as they exited this season’s competition.

Oklahoma City had equalled the best 25-game start to a season when they went 24-1 by beating the Phoenix Suns in the quarter-finals, but they have now made the second best start to a campaign after 26 games as the Golden State Warriors were 25-1 at the same stage in 2015-16.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s reigning Most Valuable Player, top scored for the Thunder against the Spurs with a game-high 29 points.

San Antonio will play the New York Knicks in the final after they beat the Orlando Magic 132-120.

Jalen Brunson scored a season-high 40 points to inspire the Knicks to victory, while team-mate Karl-Anthony Towns added 29 points.

“We came out here and did exactly what we said we wanted to do, which was play Knicks basketball,” said Towns.

The stage at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas is set.

The Knicks will face the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup Championship on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 8:30 p.m.

New York beat the Orlando Magic in the semifinals on Saturday night, 132-120, with Jalen Brunson scoring a game-high 40 points.

After the Knicks’ victory, the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama upset the Oklahoma City Thunder and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 111-109, to advance to the finals. The former No. 1 overall pick had 22 points and nine rebounds in just 21 minutes off the bench in his first game back from injury.

The Spurs snapped OKC’s 16-game winning streak and handed them just their second loss of the season. San Antonio has now won three straight to improve to 18-7, while New York has won five straight games this month, owning an 18-7 record as well.

It’ll be the first matchup between the two teams this season. Both franchises are looking to win their first in-season tournament title.

While the championship game result will not impact either team’s regular season record, the players on the winning team will earn $530,933 in prize money, per Front Office Sports. The players on the runner-up team will earn $212,373.