Oklahoma Metropolis is the envy of each rebuilding staff. Whereas it’s true they haven’t been a title contender because the notorious departure of Kevin Durant again in the summertime of 2016, common supervisor Sam Presti has labored tirelessly to get the Thunder again to the place they’re now. The place that’s, at the moment, is flush with belongings, together with draft picks, younger expertise, cap area. In addition they have their very own model of the 1-2 punch that the very best of NBA champions at all times appear to have in guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and do-it-all large man Chet Holmgren, and whereas SGA was acquired from the Clippers within the commerce that despatched Paul George there, he and most of their guys have all been developed in-house. At 29-14 they sit close to the highest of the Western Convention, loads prior to most individuals most likely anticipated.
That is definitely the place the San Antonio Spurs hope to be sooner or later in Victor Wembanyama’s (hopefully close to) future. Certainly, Wembanyama is getting higher with each recreation that he performs and the Spurs have definitely performed higher as a gaggle just lately. Whether or not or not the present items on the roster are in a position to develop with him at the same price stays to be seen, however San Antonio can look to OKC for example of what could possibly be after various down seasons.
San Antonio Spurs (8-35) at Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (30-13)
January 24 2024 | 9:30 PM CT
Watch: ESPN, CW35 | Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Tre Jones, ankle (questionable), Sidy Cissoko, ankle (OUT), Charles Bassey, out for the 12 months
Thunder Accidents: Olivier Sarr, again (questionable)
What to look at for
Wemby goes straight from a matchup in opposition to the reigning MVP Monday evening to at least one in opposition to his solely actually critical competitors for Rookie of the Yr. The Chet Holmgren-Victor Wembanyama dialogue has raged on social media because the season started, with Wembanyama being perceived as having the stats and Holmgren as having the wins/larger impression on stated wins this 12 months. Each are having improbable debut seasons, however the context is fully completely different for every of them. Hear what the, “Contained in the NBA,” crew needed to say about that ROY race:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander definitely makes issues simpler on Mr. Holmgren. In his sixth season, SGA is 4th within the league in scoring with 31 factors an evening, a mark that might give him his second consecutive season averaging at the very least 30. He can mainly do no matter he needs on the offensive aspect of the ball and does so with the endurance of Job. His largest space of battle is 3 level taking pictures, the place’s he’s making simply 32% of his restricted exterior appears this season. Gilgeous-Alexander can be a prepared defender and leads the league in steals per recreation (2.2).
OKC is prime 10 in offensive score (4th), defensive score (seventh), and internet score (+8, third).
Huge Physique Keldon Johnson left Monday’s recreation earlier than halftime after requiring 4 stitches for a facial laceration earlier than coming again into the sport within the 2nd half, however didn’t seem like himself a lot of the sport. Hopefully he’s a bit extra snug tonight a pair days faraway from the harm.
A lot has been made this season in regards to the Spurs want for some extent guard of their beginning lineup, some extent that gave the impression to be taken by the teaching workers with the current insertion of Tre Jones into the beginning line-up after the Jeremy Sochan experiment. The Spurs could possibly be again to sq. one although after Jones injured his left ankle close to the top of the 76ers loss. He’s questionable for tonight’s recreation.
The, “third man,” for the Thunder has been 2nd 12 months taking pictures guard Jalen Williams. Williams is averaging 18-4-4 whereas taking pictures 55% from the sector, together with a forty five% clip from 3, albeit on a minimalist variety of makes an attempt (3.0).
For the Thunder fan’s perspective, please go to Welcome to Loud Metropolis.
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