And three for the Spurs, victorious again in Oklahoma City!

Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and company, who scored their first seven shots of the match. On fire, Oklahoma City added 18 points to the Spurs in the first four minutes of the game (18-12). Lou Dort in turn goes for two 3-pointers, but San Antonio holds on thanks to its backcourt De’Aaron Fox – Stephen Castle (22 points between them in the first quarter). Among the best defenses in the league, both teams find offensive solutions on almost every possession.

Spurs make their way to the circle and insist, rightly so. Only clumsiness with free throws briefly limited them in returning to the score, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes two mistakes quickly. Energy from Dylan Harper etc Keldon Johnson from the bench, and then another good pass by Fox this time leaves the current champion without an answer, with 13-0 for the visitors (36-43).

The Thunder spent less than ten minutes in the lead

OKC is trying to revive itself by going back to its basics: efforts on possession and offensive rebounding, but above all physical defense like Kenrich Williamswhich manages to disrupt Victor Vembanyama. But the address is still not there (1/9 on break for Alec Caruso…), as opposed to Harrison Barnes etc Devin Vassell who punt home to give the Texans a thirteen-length lead (48-61). Gilgeous-Alexander limits the damage for Oklahoma City, and San Antonio misses a little at the end of the quarter: the home team returns under ten points to return to the locker room (60-69). Minor problem against opponents with 61.4% shooting at half time!

Stephon Castle is incredibly accurate in scoring or rebounding Luke Cornet to the alley-op. The Thunder fail to be themselves, fail to challenge San Antonio’s bad decisions. And Vembanjam then Barnes punishes poor time in defense to bring the deficit to +17.

Oklahoma City is doing absolutely nothing on 3-pointers at 2/24 after making its first four attempts. Caruso finally gets back on track and points to the sky with a big smile. But the Spurs are still impressive when they attack the rim with big dunks from Harper and Johnson. And Mark Daigneault’s men still have a 16-point advantage at the end of the third quarter (79-95).

So careful with the ball until then, San Antonio down three turnovers and OKC should not look to get back to ten lengths. The kind of series, 9-2, that the Thunder likes to launch its steamroller. But not against these Spurs, but against this Wembley, not always in his favor, but fighting every moment spent on the floor. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again brings his team to ten points, but the infernal Fox-Castle tandem takes control of the offense and delivers the final fatal blow. As the boss, San Antonio is dealing the Thunder’s third loss of five this season.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

– It’s not a rivalry yet, but it’s not far from demonstrations. The Spurs found the key to disrupting the Thunder, regardless of the context of the game. Like Tuesday in Texas, Mitch Johnson’s team was in control of the matchup, limiting their mistakes as much as possible while exploiting their opponents’ relative weaknesses in protecting the circle. San Antonio scored 69 points against Oklahoma City in the first half, the Thunder’s worst defensive stretch since the start of the season.

– Victor Vembanyama not 100%, but still a double-double. Especially on OKC’s target, the Frenchman had several easy positions, both shooting and directing San Antonio’s play. But Wembanyama more than compensated with high activity and unfailing determination to finish with 19 points (6/12 shooting) and 11 rebounds in 26 minutes of play. As is often the case, his simple presence changes a lot of things in a matchup, as his pull seemed to limit the impact of the Thunder around him on defense.

– The first defeat at home for Thunder this season. This had to happen. But for Oklahoma City, this first loss at the Pike Center carries even more weight given the context of a highly touted Christmas matchup against an opponent that clearly has the upper hand in this matchup. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled to keep his streak under 20 points (22 points on 7/19) and was not properly supported with 11/44 three-pointers and no other player above 13 points scored.

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How to read statistics? Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive jump; T = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Difference of points when the player is on the field; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.