After it looked like the Oklahoma City Thunder would steamroll the rest of the NBA on their way to a second championship, the San Antonio Spurs spent the last two weeks rising from the field as the first true challenger who could prevent that.

This is The Athletic’s daily NBA newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Bounce directly in your inbox. On this day in 1996, the Dallas Mavericks made a shocking move by trading Jason Kidd just two and a half seasons into his career.

On League Pass, Cade Cunningham and the top-seeded Pistons pay a visit to the Jazz (9:30 ET). The Grizzlies, meanwhile, can secure a 9th victory in their last 13 games when the Bucks come to town (8 ET).

The OKC Thunder didn't play like its usual self at times during its 117-102 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.

Forward Cooper Flagg and guard Dylan Harper were the 2025 NBA Draft’s top two picks months ago, and have so far lived up to the hype through a handful of professional games. That was especially apparent on the national stage, when the Mavericks and Spurs faced off against Western Conference opponents looking to secure Christmas wins.

Sir Charles Barkley has spoken, and he’s not happy with the NFL. Barkely, 62, unloaded on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the league for scheduling three games on Christmas Day, a holiday traditionally reserved for the NBA,

Together, through their body language and their play, the Spurs made a collective point: They aren’t scared of the Thunder. Not one bit.

Plus, Jalen Brunson makes MVP case, something is off with Oklahoma City and Draymond Green’s future with Golden State is murky.

The Spurs join the long list of teams over the years that have deployed that strategy. As awesome as Caruso is on the defensive end, his inconsistent outshot shooting is equally a disadvantage. That's a theme throughout the Thunder's roster. Same goes for guys like Cason Wallace and Lu Dort.