Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams paired together in a standout performance – galvanizing Oklahoma city during a pair of third quarter runs to turn a relatively tight game into a 119-98 blowout.
San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama (17 points and 7 rebounds) and Stephon Castle (20 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebonds) tried to match OKC’s big two in defeat, but didn’t find enough shooting help (13 for 37 on 3-pointers) rom their teammates. Rookie Dylan Harper (12 points and 3 rebounds) had another
solid outing against the Thunder. Luke Kornet (8 points, 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.
Observations
- My fear [prediction]: not having Devin Vassell will be the biggest obstacle tonight. 90 minutes later – we needed at least two Vassells.
- The modern-day NBA on NBC intros just hit so differently.
- Four games against the same opponent in four weeks is poor scheduling.
- On a first quarter contest by Castle, Gilgeous-Alexander tried to extend his leg on his turnaround. Thankfully the referees didn’t call a foul.
- San Antonio’s scoring per quarter: 26 / 26 / 24 / 22.
- LATE IN THE THIRD, GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER HAD HIS ATTEMPT BLOCKED BY CHAMPAGNIE, AND THEN PROCEEDED TO WIGGLE HIS LEGS ON THE FLOOR LIKE A TODDLER.
- Holmgren looked somewhere betwen deflated and defeated later in the opening half.
- Danny Chau of The Ringer had an interesting write-up of the Spurs / Thunder rivalry earlier today.
- Castle and Harper really seem to be emboldened when facing Oklahoma City.
- Sequence of the Game #1: Two minutes in, Wembanyama had a staggering give-and-go lob with Castle for a two-handed slam over Holmgren.
- “Ugly Good” Sequence of the Game: Late in the first half, and after Kornet stole an errant Thunder pass, Harper dribbled 90+ feet, and found Barnes on the perimeter. Mr. 100% knocked a turnaround down.
- Sequence of the Game #3: Castle snatched an errant OKC pass and knocked down a floater in the paint to close out a 7-0 San Antonio run in the third.
Game Rundown
From the tip, Castle took advantage of off-ball doubling of Wembanyama for a power dunk. Wembanyama backed down Holmgren and nerfed the ball in, to which Noah Eagle referred to a ‘bank-dunk.’ San Antonio’s first three attempts from distance missed. Jalen Williams put up a quick five points, with Wiggins tallying two assists and making a noticeable impact on both ends. Gilgeous-Alexander’s first bucket came after three misses. Castle had the Spurs’ first three to tie things at 11. Lindy Waters III got into the game midway through the frame and forced a turnover on the perimeter. Dylan Harper’s first shot from three was true, while Johnson’s first attempt also went in. Gilgeous-Alexander’s and-1 brought his team within one, and the Thunder went to a zone to try to negate Kornet’s effect on the boards. Gilgeous-Alexander caught fire to close out the quarter and the Spurs went down six.
Wembanyama and Castle started the second the same way they did the previous one, with the center maneuvering Holmgren to the front of the rim for a soft hook and the guard attacking the rim. Cason Wallace picked up his third foul in the process. Fox’s lone field goal for the half – a slithery layup – caused Mark Daigneault to call timeout. Champagnie’s first three tied things at 37. As soon as Wembanyama checked out, Holmgren attacked Kornet on the dribble-drive. Kornet was victimized by an unfair whistle from the blind referees throughout the second. Caruso then drew Kornet’s third foul and his and-1 gave OKC a 3-point cushion. Champagnie sandwiched two threes around a Jaylin Williams triple. After a Mitchell lay-in, Reggie Miller complimented him as a ‘professional scorer.’ The highly competitive half ended with the Thunder still holding onto a three point advantage.
San Antonio again went to Area 51 starting the third, as Castle drove deep into the paint and lofted a lob to Wembanyama. Oklahoma City hit its first three field goals with Jalen Williams facilitating. Castle’s catch-and-shoot three made it 62-62. Then a pair of avalanches came: Barnes clanked two open threes, and Wiggins made the Spurs pay at the other end. Castle’s corner three ended an 11-0 Thunder run, then Wembanyama crumpled to the court after knee-to-knee contact with Gilgeous-Alexander. Fox picked up his fourth foul after an impressive stepback, and Oklahoma City answered the Spurs’ 7-0 run with another one of their own.
For the Thunder fan’s perspective, please visit Thunderous Intentions.
San Antonio takes on. Giannia Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday night at 7:00 PM CDT..
