Following a victory vs. the Thunder in the NBA Cup semifinals, the Spurs may have shown they don't need to trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Thunder (24-1) have won a franchise-record 16 in a row. They destroyed the Phoenix Suns in a 138-89 win to advance in the NBA Cup on Wednesday. They led by as many as 53 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 28 points and eight assists in three quarters.

A high-stakes win over the Oklahoma City Thunder proves that Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are a legitimate threat to even the NBA's apex predator.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander anticipates a rivalry brewing between the Spurs and Thunder originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The Oklahoma City Thunder lost their second game of the season on Saturday night, falling to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Cup semifinals.

As Gilgeous-Alexander alluded to, NBA teams can quickly ascend from rebuilds to contenders. Look at the Thunder. Wasn't that long ago when they were one of the worst teams. But because of the reigning MVP's historic rise, they've been at the top of the league for two years.

For the second straight year, Oklahoma City fell flat in a big spot during the NBA Cup. It’s certainly better than falling flat in the NBA Finals, but still a d