In a game that seemed almost celestial, the Spurs triumphed over the Thunder with a convincing 103-82 victory.
Adding a heavenly touch to Sunday’s Game 4 were the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco. These dedicated nuns, sporting Spurs jerseys, engaged warmly with players courtside before the game commenced.
Spurs center Luke Kornet even received a special blessing from two of the nuns, a moment that was captured on video and quickly became popular on social media platforms.
The team’s social media accounts also shared footage of the spirited nuns enthusiastically chanting “Go Spurs Go!”
The devotion of these so-called “Spurs nuns” has roots stretching back to the 1990s, as reported by the San Antonio Express-News.
The group of nuns used it to better understand and share a common interest with the students at St. John Bosco School.
“Our ministry is with young people, and we need to be able to converse with them and talk to them,” Sister Bernadette Mota told the outlet. “I can talk basketball with the kids and it’s something that I’ve really enjoyed watching.”
The sisters have become tried and true fans since they began cheering for the team, and among some of their favorite players on this year’s squad include New Jersey native and former Rutgers star Dylan Harper, due to his attending a high school affiliated with the Salesian Sisters.
Kornet is also among their favorites.
Sister Margaret Natal told the San Antonio Express-News that they pray for the Spurs regularly.
“We keep them in prayer, and it’s not, you know, for them to win,” Natal said. “It’s about good sportsmanship, that they remember who they are. That they are role models. We pray that they play to the best of their ability. We pray that they understand their responsibility.”
Their prayers seemed to be answered on Sunday as the Spurs played to a series-tying victory over the Thunder.
Kornet scored six points on 3-of-4 shooting in 13 minutes on the court.
Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama scored a game-high 33 points on 11-of-22 shooting, along with eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks.