The San Antonio Spurs began the preseason missing among the hallmarks that can outline the crew within the common season. Chief amongst them was dimension. The Spurs have been with out Victor Wembanyama, Zach Collins, and Charles Bassey as they confronted the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. OKC was capable of get no matter they needed within the paint in opposition to the undersized Spurs on their option to a 112-107 victory.
The Thunder outscored the Spurs 56-36 within the paint and shot 50.5% from the sphere general. San Antonio struggled with turnovers, coughing the ball up 21 occasions which led to 26 factors off giveaways. Regardless of the poor protection and turnovers, the Spurs capturing stored them within the sport. San Antonio shot 39.5% from deep on 43 makes an attempt.
They have been led by Julian Champagnie who began at capturing guard instead of the injured Devin Vassell. He had 22 factors and seven rebounds whereas going 6-13 from three. Sandro Mamukelashvili added 14 factors off the bench, flattening three triples. Jalen Williams led the Thunder in scoring with 18 factors in simply 17 minutes.
San Antonio will get a break day earlier than taking up the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, October ninth.
Observations
Stephon Citadel had an up-and-down debut within the Silver and Black. The rookie appeared bodily prepared for the following stage and confirmed flashes of his court docket imaginative and prescient with some candy cross-court passes. He struggled with turnovers, ending the sport with 5 factors, 3 assists, and 6 turnovers. Citadel’s deal with appeared unfastened when he was pressured by the Thunder’s robust perimeter defenders. He’ll look to tighten up his errors because the preseason goes on.
Malaki Branham and Blake Wesley received prolonged run, taking part in 18 minutes a bit. Wesley introduced the depth on the defensive finish and made some good dishes on the offensive finish, ending with 3 factors, 7 assists, 2 steals, and only one turnover. Branham made some good strikes offensively, however was inefficient general, capturing 5-14 from the ground on the way in which to 12 factors.
A slimmed-down Keldon Johnson appeared… largely the identical? He nonetheless made aggressive drives to the bucket offensively and inconsistent defensively. His progress is one thing to trace because the preseason continues.
Riley Minix and Malachi Flynn stood out among the many Spurs coaching camp invitees. Flynn tried to get the Spurs again within the sport with a scoring run late within the fourth quarter as he completed with 9 factors. Minix hit a candy turnaround within the publish and nailed a spot up three on his option to 8 factors off the bench.
