Anybody with eyeballs and a pulse will testify that Saturday’s Emirates Cup semifinals between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder was one of many prime video games of the season. The fourth quarter alone had six lead adjustments, and if one didn’t know any higher, they could assume they witnessed a playoff recreation.
The Spurs punched their ticket to the Emirates Cup Finals by toppling the highest crew within the league. The Thunder habitually break opponents down mentally when taking double-digit leads, however the Spurs resisted when trailing by 16 factors, and 4 of them went on to log no less than 20 factors, giving OKC their first loss in 38 days (16 video games).
In fact, it’s only one evening, and the Thunder can’t fly that prime perpetually, nevertheless it’s an enormous deal that the Spurs might beat the squad that matched the perfect begin via 25 video games in NBA historical past (24-1), in a significant recreation.
OKC’s stress had the Spurs on the ropes a lot of the first half, committing 11 turnovers and lacking makeable 3-pointers that had their offense resembling an outdated automobile that takes a couple of key turns to begin. But because the thought that possibly this crew isn’t prepared for prime time in all probability raced via followers’ minds, the whole lot modified in Victor Wembanyama’s stints as he threw his measurement round on the glass and arrange teammates. He performed like he knew time was operating out, and it led to some poor decision-making with the ball, however he was the principle cause they reduce the deficit to 3 going into intermission.
A couple of minutes into the third quarter, De’Aaron Fox snatched San Antonio‘s first lead of the evening as he raced previous orange jerseys in transition. They didn’t lead by greater than six factors as a result of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander obtained the place he needed when he needed.
Naturally, Wemby saved his greatest for the fourth, nailing 4 baskets between three and 14 ft. Devin Vassell and Stephon Fortress obtained in on the motion, too, making two 3-pointers and two photographs within the lane, serving to the Spurs pull off the upset.
The Cup finale shall be on Tuesday towards the New York Knicks, who’ve gained 16 of their final 20 outings.
