Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a commanding 119-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. The defending champs responded decisively after a Christmas Day loss to the same foe, snapping a three-game skid against their emerging Western Conference rival and silencing a Paycom Center crowd that had grown tense with recent history.

The atmosphere was charged after San Antonio had handed Oklahoma City three straight defeats, including a 30-point rout just days earlier. Tuesday's result flipped the script, with the Thunder's physical, smothering defense forcing Victor Wembanyama into a quiet second half. Oklahoma City dominated the third quarter 40-24 and outscored San Antonio 56-34 in the paint, attacking the basket relentlessly.

Gilgeous-Alexander's 16 points came inside against the 7-foot-4 center, a stark contrast to the Thunder's previous struggles against his rim protection. Jalen Williams added 20 points as Oklahoma City improved to 34-7, maintaining a blistering plus-13.2 scoring margin that puts them on pace to break their own NBA record. The Spurs' bid to become the West's top dog hit a wall.