Spurs win without convincing against replacement Thunder

Stripped of ten players, including nearly all of its regular rotation, the Thunder showed up in San Antonio with an ultra-reduced squad made up specifically of three “two-way contract” players. An exceptional situation, emphasized Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Abs Injurywhich happened the day before against Orlando. It all looked like a set-up for OKC, who the Spurs already led 3-1 in the season series. But far from giving up the match, this cobbled team made the evening difficult for the Texans.

at the same time, double overtime between the Knicks and Nuggets earlier in the evening he almost secured the Spurs second place in the West, in a context that is perhaps deceptively comfortable. The Thunder remained attractive early in the match, but the entry of Keldon Johnson quickly changed the game. OKC’s bench clearly didn’t have the size to match her physical impact, and the Spurs led 39-26 at the end of the first quarter.

San Antonio then built a 20-point lead before letting up. Aaron Wiggins caught fire from the threes and allowed the Thunder to pull back to within ten lengths five minutes before the break. Carter Bryant gave the Spurs, who led 73-58 at halftime, some breathing room, but a sloppy finish to the second quarter, especially on the rebound, gave OKC the last basket and an unexpected confidence boost.

The Fox-Castle duo avoids the worst

The return from the locker room was difficult for the Spurs. Lack of intensity, overly individualistic play, late defensive rotations: The Thunder used it to get back within one possession. Keldon Johnson once again led his team out of the water by scoring 13 straight points, stopping the bleeding. Despite that, OKC won the third quarter 27-22, and San Antonio led just 95-85 after 36 minutes.

Buoyed by impressive energy for such a revamped team, the Thunder continued to believe in the fourth quarter. His defense tightened up, several attempts by Victor Wembanyama were broken up, sometimes converted into quick baskets on the other end, and the gap melted away. A layup by Cason Wallace even put OKC within -6 two minutes into the period.

Despite his fifth quick foul, Stefon Castle stayed on the floor and was decisive in the money time, just like De’Aaron Fox, the author of several key actions to secure the end of the match. The Spurs hung on and ended up winning 116-106 without ever convincing themselves.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

Same total as 2025. In the end, San Antonio picked up an important win, its 34th of the season, already tying its total for the entire 2024-2025 season with 32 games to go. It is also the 4th win in five matches against the Thunder, and without convincing, the Spurs are 2nd in the Western Conference.

Brooks who?!? Brooks Barnhizer. This is a player who has only made a mediocre 1-of-6 3-pointers this season. Because of this, Spurs left him alone in the corners, and he almost played a bad trick on them. Remaining free, he finished the game with 14 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench on 5-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-9 from 3-point range.

OKC to kick. The Thunder have four losses in seven games, and the first place in the Western Conference is not locked up. Especially since “SGA” will miss half a dozen matches, and the Spurs are not that far behind: 40v-12d for the Thunder; 34v-16d for the Spurs.

https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=KsazZ4jvKKj0

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; +/- = point difference when the player is on the court; Points = Points; Rating: player rating calculated based on positive actions – negative actions.