The Spurs’ shedding streak continued with a blowout loss in Oklahoma Metropolis. A shorthanded San Antonio staff completed the second quarter poorly and began the third body even worse, which allowed the Thunder to cruise to a 123-87 win within the first official matchup between Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holgrem.
A battle between two squads that like to play at a excessive tempo had a sluggish begin, as each groups struggled to get transition alternatives early on. The sport had a really feel of basic sloppiness to it within the first quarter, with just a few nice moments to interrupt the monotony. The offenses couldn’t actually create nice appears to be like constantly on the half-court and the three ball wasn’t falling for both facet. The query was who was going to have the ability to get up and set the tone first and the reply was the house staff. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took over for a couple of minutes and the Thunder’s protection began to be disruptive sufficient to get them alternatives to run. The Spurs, which in idea had an enormous benefit inside, couldn’t actually make it rely and the absences of Tre Jones and Keldon Johnson harm the depth when the second models checked in.
Regardless of taking part in higher, OKC was solely up three after the primary. If the Spurs may have solely cleaned up the problems with turnovers, the sport may have gone otherwise, since their half-court protection was strong and so they had been getting some ugly buckets on the opposite finish. Sadly, it was not possible for San Antonio to get clear execution on offense. The Thunder pressured ball handlers on inbounds and used their size on a zone that created issues for the Silver and Black. Devin Vassell went on a mini run of his personal, hitting some spectacular jumpers, and Wembanyama had just a few good possessions, however there was not sufficient shot creation or ball safety for the guests, who coughed it up 12 instances within the half, partially fueling an OKC offense that had 12 fastbreak factors. At half, the lead was 10 for the Thunder.
With San Antonio lacking their emotional chief in Johnson and their sparkplug off the bench in Jones, dealing with adversity was going to be laborious. It was nonetheless a bit shocking how rapidly the Spurs crumbled within the third interval. Wemby began with a few dangerous possessions, then the Thunder went again to creating turnovers. The misses began to pile up and a number of them had been ugly. There was little ball and participant motion. The frustration with the officers and with themselves was palpable for the blokes carrying Silver and Black. Pop tried a full-court press as a last-ditch effort to get one thing going, but it surely failed, identical to every thing else all through the night time. The starters stayed in properly into the fourth quarter though the sport was absolutely out of attain, which solely served to make the proceedings chippy.
It was a completely forgettable night time in all attainable methods for the Spurs, who’re absolutely hoping they are going to have everybody obtainable for the following sport.
Sport notes
The Spurs are actually 0-2 within the in-season match. They’re nonetheless technically alive, however their probabilities of advancing are wanting slim.
Wembanyama actually struggled. He inexplicably missed chippies inside, tried to do an excessive amount of dribbling and had dangerous physique language at instances. He nonetheless pulled down 12 boards and had a few blocks, but it surely was a nasty sport for him. Chet Holgrem didn’t shine both, so these hoping for an awesome matchup between the 2 future stars had been most likely dissatisfied.
The staff appeared fully misplaced on offense and turned the ball over 24 instances, so all eyes shall be on Jeremy Sochan. This explicit catastrophe wasn’t Sochan’s fault, although. The Thunder are a disruptive defensive staff and the Spurs, with Jones and Johnson out, had nobody who may drive and deal with the ball to assist Sochan. It’s positive to evaluate the Level Sochan experiment but it surely’s solely honest to do it when the beginning lineup is complete.
Julian Champagnie missed a superb alternative to make a case for minutes. He received the prospect to begin however missed pictures and didn’t make an affect on the opposite finish earlier than padding his numbers in rubbish time. He most likely solely received the beginning in order that Pop may hold Cedi Osman coming off the bench, however Osman received simply 14 minutes regardless of taking part in acceptably properly. In hindsight, beginning Osman would have most likely been the higher choice.
Vassell had a superb outing and doubtless wanted extra pictures. It may be difficult to get him these appears to be like as a result of the Spurs have an equal-opportunity offense (besides in relation to Wemby) and Vassell isn’t the kind of ball handler that may create area simply. Nonetheless, the one man who was making largely good selections ought to have been extra concerned. OKC’s protection does deserve some credit score for making life laborious for Vassell.
Malaki Branham missed 4 three-pointers. He simply appears extra comfy capturing from mid-range than past the arc, which was anticipated since he was drafted. His low launch is perhaps inflicting him some points with closeouts, however he’s missed some open ones this season too. It would take him time to develop as a constant exterior risk.
Devonté Graham was +5 on a sport the Spurs misplaced by 36 factors, which is meaningless since single sport plus/minus isn’t a great way to evaluate affect, however hilarious nonetheless. He did play properly and just by being a ball handler he helped the staff immensely, which is perhaps one thing the teaching workers ought to keep in mind if Johnson and Jones miss extra time.
Play of the night time
Victor nonetheless managed to do one thing spectacular, even on a horrible night time
Subsequent sport: vs. Kings on Friday
The Spurs will host the Kings on the third sport of the in-season match group stage.
