Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams paired collectively in a standout efficiency – galvanizing Oklahoma metropolis throughout a pair of third quarter runs to show a comparatively tight sport right into a 119-98 blowout.
San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama (17 factors and seven rebounds) and Stephon Fortress (20 factors, 8 assists, and seven rebonds) tried to match OKC’s huge two in defeat, however didn’t discover sufficient taking pictures assist (13 for 37 on 3-pointers) rom their teammates. Rookie Dylan Harper (12 factors and three rebounds) had one other stable outing towards the Thunder. Luke Kornet (8 factors, 8 rebounds [6 offensive), and 2 steals) had a sizable impact in the first half, but was muted after.
Reigning MVP Gilgeous-Alexander (34 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 blocks) had his best game against the Spurs this season, and was bolstered by Jalen Williams’ (20 points and 2 steals) scoring along with 12 Thunder blocks. Jaylin Williams (11 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks), Ajay Mitchell (11 points and 6 rebounds), and Alex Caruso (13 points and 4 assists) outhustled and outshined their San Antonio reserve counterparts.
The teams went at each other from the tip, with Castle and Wembanyama making highlight plays early on. Jalen Williams found some offensive rhythm while Gilgeous-Alexander was hounded into several misses. Both teams struggled to gain some consistency from behind the arc, which contributed to the teams being separated by one-possession through most of the stanza. Kornet single-handedly kept a handful of possessions alive to gift the Spurs ample opportunities. After a first quarter that resembled a conference semifinal game, Gilgeous-Alexander led all players in scoring, and Oklahoma City led 32-26.
San Antonio held Oklahoma City in check over the first couple of minutes in the second period, while featuring Wembanyama at the elbow. However, Ajay Mitchell excelled as a secondary valve. The teams were neck-and-neck throughout the middle minutes. With both teams plagued by inconsistent outside shooting for much of the half, not much separation was had. Gilgeous-Alexander ran his point total up while receiving just enough support from Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and Mitchell. Harper and Castle’s production at guard made up for Fox’s difficult shooting evening, and Julian Champagnie finally saw the ball go through the net on several occasions. The Spurs went to the break down just three despite an unseemly 5-for-20 from three.
Jalen Williams shined early on in the third quarter – scoring and assisting on a handful of Thunder baskets. The teams traded alternating runs over the next 6+ minutes, but Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams made sure Oklahoma City fared better in the end. Wembanyama knocked knees with Gilgeous-Alexander and reluctantly went to the bench. A pair of double-digit runs by OKC doomed San Antonio in a regrettable third. Back-to-back threes from Gilgeous-Alexander and Kenrich Wiliams stretched the Spur deficit to 19.
From the tip, Fortress took benefit of off-ball doubling of Wembanyama for an influence dunk. Wembanyama backed down Holmgren and nerfed the ball in, to which Noah Eagle referred to a ‘bank-dunk.’ San Antonio’s first three makes an attempt from distance missed. Jalen Williams put up a fast 5 factors, with Wiggins tallying two assists and making a noticeable influence on each ends. Gilgeous-Alexander’s first bucket got here after three misses. Fortress had the Spurs’ first three to tie issues at 11. Lindy Waters III received into the sport halfway by the body and compelled a turnover on the perimeter. Dylan Harper’s first shot from three was true, whereas Johnson’s first try additionally went in. Gilgeous-Alexander’s and-1 introduced his workforce inside one, and the Thunder went to a zone to attempt to negate Kornet’s impact on the boards. Gilgeous-Alexander caught fireplace to shut out the quarter and the Spurs went down six.
Wembanyama and Fortress began the second the identical manner they did the earlier one, with the middle maneuvering Holmgren to the entrance of the rim for a gentle hook and the guard attacking the rim. Cason Wallace picked up his third foul within the course of. Fox’s lone area objective for the half – a slithery layup – induced Mark Daigneault to name timeout. Champagnie’s first three tied issues at 37. As quickly as Wembanyama checked out, Holmgren attacked Kornet on the dribble-drive. Kornet was victimized by an unfair whistle from the blind referees all through the second. Caruso then drew Kornet’s third foul and his and-1 gave OKC a 3-point cushion. Champagnie sandwiched two threes round a Jaylin Williams triple. After a Mitchell lay-in, Reggie Miller complimented him as a ‘skilled scorer.’ The extremely aggressive half ended with the Thunder nonetheless holding onto a 3 level benefit.
San Antonio once more went to Space 51 beginning the third, as Fortress drove deep into the paint and lofted a lob to Wembanyama. Oklahoma Metropolis hit its first three area targets with Jalen Williams facilitating. Fortress’s catch-and-shoot three made it 62-62. Then a pair of avalanches got here: Barnes clanked two open threes, and Wiggins made the Spurs pay on the different finish. Fortress’s nook three ended an 11-0 Thunder run, then Wembanyama crumpled to the court docket after knee-to-knee contact with Gilgeous-Alexander. Fox picked up his fourth foul after a powerful stepback, and Oklahoma Metropolis answered the Spurs’ 7-0 run with one other one in all their very own.
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San Antonio takes on. Giannia Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday night time at 7:00 PM CDT..
