Coming off a heartbreaking loss versus the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Spurs traveled to Oklahoma Metropolis to tackle the Thunder for the fourth time this season. This matchup ended up being essentially the most bodily sport between each groups, with the Spurs battling all through the primary half and trailing solely by 3 at halftime. Nonetheless, the third quarter was a hailstorm by OKC. The Spurs allowed them to go on a number of unanswered double-digit runs, and the silver and black had been trailing by 19 on the finish of the third. There was an try at a comeback with the Spurs happening a 14-2 run; nevertheless, they had been unable to chop the deficit to single digits. The Spurs had been handed their first loss by OKC 119-98.
Stephon Fort dropped a close to triple-double: 20 factors, eight assists, and 7 rebounds to go together with a steal. He shot slightly below 50% for the sport and turned the ball over 5 occasions. Regardless of the shortcomings, Steph’s efficiency reignited his confidence and dedication to drive to the paint and be a playmaker. His protection stays strong, as he fights via screens and defends each group’s greatest guard.
CLEAR THE LANE! Steph drives in for the wide-open two-handed jam!
AREA 51 OOP! Steph attracts a number of defenders on the drive and throws it up for Wemby to complete!
Victor Wembanyama dropped 17 factors, seven rebounds, and an help. The Thunder made it a degree to place as many our bodies on Wemby as attainable. Wemby was pushed, shoved, and even injured a number of occasions all through the sport. Regardless of all the additional physicality, Wemby powered via every setback and performed 28 minutes. The minutes restriction remains to be in place, however the severity appears to have lessened since he re-entered the beginning lineup. An important issue is that his confidence has not wavered, and he doesn’t plan to crumble.
POSTER ALERT! Vic powers via Chet Holmgren and posterizes him with the left hand!
Give and Go Oop! Wemby and Steph run the give-and-go to perfection as Steph fires an exquisite cross for the Wemby slam on the rim!
INTO THE STANDS! Wemby swats Holmgren’s three out of bounds!
That block turned out to be Wemby’s five hundredth profession block and is the second-youngest participant in NBA historical past to file such a feat!
Level Wemby! After De’Aaron Fox intercepts the cross, Wemby handles the ball like a guard and places the publish strikes on Holmgren for the left hook shot!
Wemby dime! In transition, Wemby catches the cross from Dylan Harper on the free-throw line and attracts two defenders. Wemby instantly zips it to a wide-open Keldon Johnson, who splashes the three within the nook! KJ dropped 9 factors and three boards in 20 minutes off the bench.
De’Aaron Fox dropped 14 factors, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal. Aside from his efficiency towards Boston, Fox has struggled all through the previous week. The supermax guard is capturing 40% from the sector and capturing slightly below 14% from three within the final 5 video games. The bizarre a part of this sport is that he solely tried 9 pictures. He averages slightly below 16 makes an attempt per sport. OKC’s protection is elite, however he dropped 29 factors on them on Christmas Day. Fox is solely in a capturing stoop, and the star veteran will look to kick it again in excessive gear.
Dime dropper! Fox’s shifty dribbling permits him to get into the paint previous Shai Giligeous-Alexander and he throws it up for Luke Kornet to slam it dwelling! Luke dropped eight factors, eight rebounds, two steals, and an help in 20 minutes off the bench.
Harrison Barnes dropped two factors, an help, and a block. In January, HB is capturing 31% from the sector and 21% from three. This capturing stoop has now lasted for a little bit over two weeks. One thing wants to alter: both HB continues to try to shoot out of this stoop, or the Spurs might discover buying and selling for a startable energy ahead. Nonetheless, HB is a strong veteran who hustles on the fastbreak to disrupt Alex Caruso’s layup try.
This was one of many uncommon blow-out losses of the season. OKC lastly bought the higher hand after three straight losses. They merely out-physicaled the silver and black on each ends. Albeit the technique itself was considerably nuanced, as they dared referees to name hand-checking fouls (particularly on Wemby). The Spurs look to regroup after this two-game skid by returning dwelling to the Frost Financial institution Heart for 3 video games. Hopefully, Devin Vassell returns for a kind of matchups.
Lastly, listed here are the total sport highlights.
The Spurs return dwelling to tackle the Milwaukee Bucks this Thursday at 7:00 P.M. (CST) on FDSN-SW.
