Former NBA head coach Stan Van Gundy called for San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama to change his nickname from "Alien" to something else.

While the results have mainly remained indifferent, Tottenham improved since the 5-3 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain just days after the embarrassing 4-0 away defeat to Arsenal. Spurs have been a more attacking side in recent weeks, with a more coherent midfield and attack. That’s until today, at least, where Spurs regressed.

Wembanyama returned after missing a dozen games and had 22 points, nine rebounds and was +21 in 21 minutes of play.

The best photos from the Oklahoma City Thunder's 111-109 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

LAS VEGAS — It made for quite the coincidence and convenience that the return of Victor Wembanyama and the return to Earth by the Oklahoma City Thunder would happen on the same night, inside the same arena and during the same Emirates NBA Cup Semifinal game, twin forces that understandably produced a spectacle.

"It's pretty evident if no-one gets the time, no-one can turn it around," says Thomas Frank as Spurs beaten at Nottingham Forest.

Nottingham Forest appear to be back on solid ground under Sean Dyche, evidenced by the Tricky Trees 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, their fourth in eight Premier League games since the new manager's appointment.

Last night's NBA Cup semifinal between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs lived up to its billing. Mitch Johnson's team played in a game with true playoff intensity and earned a 111–109 win against the reigning champions.