Thunder reject injury alibis after Game 7 exit, vow swift return
thunder-reject-injury-alibis-game-7-exit
The Oklahoma City Thunder left AT&T Center disappointed but defiant after Sunday’s Game 7 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, a loss that ended their bid for a second straight trip to the NBA Finals.
Injuries acknowledged, not blamed
Oklahoma City played most of the Western Conference Finals without forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) and guard Ajay Mitchell (calf). Veteran guard Alex Caruso conceded the absences hurt but refused to use them as an excuse, telling reporters the Thunder enjoyed better health during last year’s championship run and simply “had worse luck this season,” according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
Head coach Mark Daigneault echoed that stance. “We felt like we could have won the series,” he said. “There’s nobody that we don’t think we can beat, respectfully.”
Williams confident in potential impact
Williams, sidelined for the entire series, stressed he could have altered the outcome. “We went to seven with them without me playing,” he told The Oklahoman. “I don’t think I make us worse.” The All-Star forward saluted San Antonio for capitalizing on opportunity and is expected to enter next season fully healthy after battling injuries most of the year.
Gilgeous-Alexander calls season ‘a failure’
MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander labeled the 64-win campaign a disappointment because it fell short of a championship. “I failed at my goal. I didn’t achieve what I wanted to achieve,” he said, adding that previous setbacks have fueled significant growth and this offseason will be treated no differently.
Despite coming within a game of the Finals, the Thunder made it clear they have little interest in self-pity and expect to contend again next spring.
Source: Hoops Wire
