Coming off a blowout win this previous Sunday that tied up the Western Convention Finals, the Spurs traveled to Oklahoma Metropolis to tackle the Thunder in a Sport 5 showdown. After a back-and-forth first quarter (highlighted by Julian Champagnie’s sizzling capturing), the Spurs began to play sloppily. They have been enjoying undisciplined protection and fell behind by 11 at halftime. Within the third, the Spurs fell behind by as a lot as 20. Victor Wembanyama gave an impassioned speech within the huddle that sparked a 13-2 run. Because the Spurs have been inside single digits and gathering momentum, the referees missed a number of calls that killed the Spurs’ remaining momentum within the quarter. First, they missed a blatant goaltend from Cason Wallace. Second, they incorrectly dominated an out-of-bounds name in favor of OKC regardless that the ball was off of Chet Holmgren’s foot. Then, Mitch Johnson signaled for a problem in entrance of a ref and was merely ignored. Johnson was then assessed a technical foul for arguing. Regardless of all of that, the Spurs’ fourth quarter was a catastrophe. The Spurs shot poorly, defended poorly, and couldn’t discover a option to shut the hole late. They finally misplaced 127-114.
Stephon Fort led the way in which with 24 factors (7-11 FG, 3-5 3PT, 7-8 FT), six assists, 5 rebounds, and three steals. Steph had a really environment friendly sport on offense (regardless of a few turnovers) and was tremendous aggressive on protection. Nonetheless, his aggressiveness resulted in a number of fouls that might later maintain him restricted defensively within the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, Steph’s efficiency will solely gasoline him for one more probability to play in entrance of the Frost Financial institution Middle crowd.
On the board! Steph will get the Spurs on the scoreboard with a hesitation pull-up three!
LOCKED UP! Steph locks up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and picks up the steal!
Steph transition dime! Off the rebound, Steph finds an open Devin Vassell for the nook three!
Julian Champagnie dropped 22 factors (8-15 FG, 4-8 3PT), eight rebounds, three steals, and an help. After struggling mightily from the sector this collection, Julian lastly broke out of his droop. He began the sport sizzling by draining all 4 of his three-point makes an attempt within the first quarter. Julian additionally continues to be a stable off-ball defender by getting his fingers within the passing lanes for steals and deflections. It’s unfortunate that Julian’s first stable capturing sport comes with an off capturing sport from Vassell. Hopefully, each will discover the stroke in Sport 6.
CHAMPAGNI3! Off the dribble handoff, Julian knocks down the open triple!
Victor Wembanyama dropped 20 factors (12-12 FT), six rebounds, three blocks, two steals, and an help. Regardless of getting 5 shares, Wemby appeared gassed all through the sport. He shot 27% from the sector and went 0-5 from three. OKC challenged him defensively, attempting their finest to maintain him exterior the paint. Most of his discipline targets got here from lob finishes, and he merely didn’t seem like himself. Wemby additionally declined to talk to the media after the sport, which is a rarity. As mature because the 22-year-old could be, he might want to work out learn how to play with management and ferocity. Sport 6 is looming, and with no huge Wemby efficiency, the possibilities are slim.
Alley-oop! Keldon Johnson drives into the paint and lobs it as much as Wemby for the primary alley-oop of the sport!
Alley-oop x2! This time, De’Aaron Fox drives in off the Wemby display, and he throws it as much as Wemby for one more lob connection!
Alley-oop x3 + 1! It’s Steph’s flip to toss the lob, and it ends in an and-one for Wemby!
Keldon Johnson dropped 15 factors (7-13 FG), 4 rebounds, and two assists. KJ has struggled on this collection from the sector and on protection. Nonetheless, he was the one Spurs participant who completed with a constructive plus/minus (not counting rubbish time minutes). His willingness and willpower to get the cup by any means mandatory proved to be a spark plug for the silver and black. Identical to Julian, the Spurs want him to hold his stable manufacturing into Sport 6.
Pump and drive! KJ tiptoes the baseline, drives previous Holmgren, and finishes over Jared McCain off the glass for 2!
BIG BODY! KJ drives into the paint and sheds Holmgren for the robust end!
All in all, this was a sloppy sport for this younger Spurs crew. Regardless of how questionable officiating could be, they nonetheless had probabilities within the fourth and couldn’t execute on offense. Given how excellently they executed their sport plan in Sport 4, it was robust to see them be undisciplined on the defensive finish throughout key stretches. Most of all, they want their generational expertise to step up and never shoot 4-for-15 from the sector. Spurs followers might be on pins and needles watching this crew undergo their first do-or-die sport since 2019.
Lastly, listed below are the total sport highlights.
The Spurs face a do-or-die Sport 6 this Thursday again residence at 7:30 P.M. (CST) on NBC/Peacock.
