On Thursday, the Spurs decided they weren't taking any chances with Victor Wembanyama. Wemby hasn't been back that long from injury, and the Spurs were playing the first game of a back-to-back. So on this night, Wembanyama came off the bench, and he ended up playing only 17 minutes. The Spurs did this as a precaution.

It was quite the return, as Wembanyama’s 22 points helped the Spurs push past the Oklahoma City Thunder to move into the NBA Cup final. The game announced the Spurs as legitimate contenders, and set up a potential rivalry in the Western Conference that could dominate the NBA for years to come.

Douglas Farmer breaks down his favorite Spurs vs. Knicks props ahead of Tonight's NBA Cup Final. Find out why he's backing Karl-Anthony Towns but fading Victor Wembanyama.

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs (18-7) will host the Washington Wizards (4-20). This is the team's first meeting of the season. The San Antonio Spurs lost to the Knicks 124-113 in the NBA Cup Finals. Dylan Harper led the team with 21 points and seven rebounds.

There is only one game on the NBA schedule for Tuesday, Dec. 16 and it is the NBA Cup Championship between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.

After leading the New York Knicks to their first NBA Cup championship, Jalen Brunson praised the coaching staff for their willingness to try things within games to make them successful.

Wemby still came off the bench in this game, entering the game five minutes in instead of waiting until the second quarter, but his shot was off at first, and the Knicks responded with a 9-2 run, eventually getting the lead as high as three.

Excitement builds as the San Antonio Spurs face the dominant Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals this Saturday in Las Vegas. Victor Wembanyama is expected to return from injury, bolstering the Spurs' strong recent form.