LAS VEGAS — He began the season with force, displaying much of that at both ends of the floor, all while showing a more refined and mature flow, and this combination sent shivers through the opposition.

Yes, before a calf strain brought everything to a temporary halt, there was no question about it, literally or otherwise — stopping Victor Wembanyama was a tall order for anyone.

And speaking of that turn of a phrase, same goes for the Oklahoma City Thunder, now 24-1 and swinging sledgehammers since opening night.

So we have arrived here, to this desert basketball oasis, to learn which order will loom tallest come tipoff on Saturday ( 9 ET, Prime ). Really, that’s the flavor of this Emirates NBA Cup West Semifinal — can the return of Wemby enable the San Antonio Spurs to pump the

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