The Oklahoma City Thunder reclaimed control of their season series with the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night, rolling to a 119-98 victory at Paycom Center behind 34 points from reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Oklahoma City (34-7) broke open a tight game with a 40-24 third quarter, snapping San Antonio’s three-game hold over the defending champions. Gilgeous-Alexander, who delivered 16 points in the paint, said the outcome showed “when we play with urgency and attention to detail, it doesn’t matter who is on the other side.”
Recent history fuels intensity
The matchup carried extra weight after the Spurs handed the Thunder three losses in a 12-day span last month—an NBA Cup semifinal win on Dec. 13, a 30-point rout on Dec. 23 and a 15-point triumph on Christmas Day. Those setbacks ended Oklahoma City’s 16-game winning streak and sparked talk of a budding rivalry between the conference’s top two teams.
Forward Jalen Williams, who scored 20 points, acknowledged the elevated atmosphere but downplayed rivalry chatter. “Every game feels like a rivalry because we’re the defending champs and everyone throws their best punch,” he said.
Wembanyama contained
Spurs rookie center Victor Wembanyama finished with 17 points and seven rebounds but managed only seven points and two boards after halftime while absorbing frequent boos from the sellout crowd. Oklahoma City repeatedly challenged the 7-foot-4 shot blocker, piling up 56 points in the paint and hitting 10 of 14 attempts (71.4%) that he contested, according to GeniusIQ. The Thunder had connected on just 41.0% of those shots over the previous three meetings.
“They trusted their identity,” Wembanyama said of the Thunder’s approach.
Thunder’s numbers stay historic
The victory kept Oklahoma City on pace for a record point differential; the club’s current plus-13.2 average exceeds the NBA mark it set during last season’s 68-win campaign.
Oklahoma City will continue its homestand Thursday, while San Antonio returns home for a Friday contest.
Source: ESPN
