Breaking down Alex Caruso, Chris Paul hit the stepback, lateral 3-pointer to demoralize OKC. San Antonio slammed the door when Zach Collins launched an unbelievable nook 3-pointer on the subsequent possession.
THE Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder suffered a 110-104 loss to Wemby-less San Antonio Spurs. This upset introduced OKC’s file to 1-1 within the NBA Cup Group B standings.
From the beginning, each groups have been unable to decelerate the opposite. The Thunder left the primary quarter with a 35-32 lead. Halfway by way of the second body, OKC created some house on the scoreboard. Dillon Jones transformed on a 3-pointer to provide him a 10-point benefit.
It felt just like the Thunder would have began to run away from this competitors. In spite of everything, they entered as heavy favorites with San Antonio’s high three scorers eradicated. As a substitute, the Spurs obtained scorching from the skin. They closed the primary half with a rating of 11-3. OKC confronted a 60-57 halftime deficit due to it.
The beginning of the second half was related. The Spurs scored the primary 11 factors to construct a 14-point benefit. The Thunder had no defensive reply each in and out. The restrictions of small-ball basketball have began to be revealed over these final two video games for OKC.
Due to a 3rd body of 33 factors, the Spurs stored a long way on the scoreboard. The Thunder left the interval with a rating of 93-77. The beginning of the fourth quarter leaves little hope. San Antonio elevated its result in 21 factors. It was virtually over till OKC made one final run.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams donned their superhero capes. The duo introduced OKC again into aggressive rivalry. An prolonged 24-6 run turned the lopsided loss right into a six-point deficit when Gilgeous-Alexander drilled a 3-pointer.
Alas, that turned out to be the closest the Thunder might have gotten on the scoreboard. Within the remaining seconds, Williams and Caruso missed a pair of 3-pointers that would have reduce the result in three factors. As a substitute, each gamers missed the sport and put a becoming finish to an offensively chilly evening from deep.
The Thunder shot 41% from the sphere and made a glacial 16 of 53 (30.2%) from 3. That they had 24 assists on 41 area targets. 4 Thunder gamers scored double-digit factors. Attending to the free throw line continues to be a difficulty as OKC simply made 6 of seven as a group.
Gilgeous-Alexander completed with an environment friendly 32 factors. Williams scored 26 factors. The remainder of the group struggled to attain. OKC’s accidents began to meet up with them. Reinforcement will probably be welcome.
In the meantime, the Spurs survived with out Victor Wembanyama, Jeremy Sochan and Devin Vassell. They shot 47% from the sphere and made 19 of 46 (41.3%) from 3. That they had 32 assists on 39 area targets. Seven Spurs gamers scored double-digit factors.
Keldon Johnson emulated PJ Washington with 22 factors on 7-of-15 capturing, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. He shot a ridiculous 6 of 12 from 3. Chris Paul had a classic double-double of 14 factors and 11 assists. Harrison Barnes had 20 factors and eight rebounds. Stephon Citadel had 10 factors and eight assists.
Though they’ve performed an admirable job since Chet Holmgren suffered a damaged hip, the Thunder’s little tape residue is beginning to lose its stickiness. OKC is 3-3 for the reason that season-altering harm and has misplaced its final two video games.
He’ll possible should survive at the least another recreation with this undersized group. After that, a uncommon four-day break ought to present Isaiah Hartenstein with the proper alternative to return from his fractured hand.
Let us take a look at the Thunder participant scores:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A-plus
He virtually did it once more. Gilgeous-Alexander’s heroic efforts will probably be in useless, however they need to at the least be acknowledged. The 26-year-old has now had back-to-back performances the place he single-handedly introduced the Thunder again in a contest that ought to have in any other case been a blowout defeat.
Gilgeous-Alexander completed with 32 factors on 11-of-20 capturing, seven assists, three rebounds and three steals. He shot 5 of 8 from 3 and made 5 of 6 from the free throw line.
A 13-point third quarter was his finest stretch. The Thunder wanted each bucket as San Antonio’s scorching capturing continued. Gilgeous-Alexander struggled to complete inside as OKC not often obtained calls. However a heat evening away for the 26-year-old helped make up the distinction.
It was a traditional Gilgeous-Alexander outing with 30 factors. The Spurs had no solutions in opposition to final 12 months’s MVP runner-up. Regardless that they’ve suffered some irritating losses, he’ll have to point out up like this usually for OKC.
Jalen Williams: A+
Satisfying the brief mid-range jumper, Williams carried the torch for Gilgeous-Alexander throughout OKC’s comeback try. His monster fourth quarter virtually marked a comeback victory for the Thunder. Alas, they failed, however not due to his efforts.
Williams completed with 27 factors on 13-of-26 capturing, 10 rebounds, six assists and 5 steals. He shot 0 of 6 from 3 as OKC struggled from deep total.
The 23-year-old was busy contained in the paint. With out Wembanyama, Williams did not should second-guess himself on drives to the basket. He is clearly OKC’s second finest participant since Holmgren went down and a majority of these outcomes must proceed.
With out Holmgren, Williams has performed an admirable job because the beginning heart. However these final two video games spotlight how unsustainable this method is defensively. Hartenstein’s return ought to carry again the usual for OKC.
Cason Wallace: B
Hitting a 3-pointer, a layup and a dunk, Wallace obtained the quick begin he desperately wanted. The 21-year-old struggled along with his outdoors shot. After capturing 42% from 3 final season, he is off to a chilly begin at 25%.
Possibly this efficiency may help him come out of his funk. Wallace completed with 13 factors on 5-of-8 capturing, seven assists and three rebounds. He shot 3 of 5 from 3.
The sport was undoubtedly extra encouraging. He appeared extra snug with the ball in his fingers and helped create appears to be like for his teammates. OKC wants a bench ball handler and Wallace has the prospect to be that participant.
Out of doors capturing was at all times a matter of time. He is too good an outdoor shooter to maintain lacking like that. Outdoors capturing is of course violent as gamers undergo ups and downs. Wallace could possibly be because of optimistic regression.
Alex Caruso: C+
Upon coming back from a three-game absence, Caruso performed a season-high 26 minutes off the bench. That is what occurs when OKC is as exhausted as it’s.
As is at all times the case with Caruso, the scoreline numbers aren’t instantly apparent, however the 30-year-old’s infinite power was noticeable. He completed with two factors, 5 rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
The 30-year-old had an opportunity for a well-timed three-pointer, however narrowly missed. That is his story to date this season. He was 0 of 5 from deep and 1 of seven total. After capturing almost 42% from 3 final season, that clip was across the 20% mark to begin this 12 months.
This may absolutely get higher and all Caruso wants is a few scorching deep play. However we’re reaching some extent the place the outcomes are too noisy to disregard.
Highlights:
This text was initially revealed on OKC Thunder Wire: Participant Scores: Thunder undergo 110-104 loss to Spurs with out Wemby
