The Oklahoma City Thunder absorbed their first defeat in more than five weeks on Saturday, falling to the San Antonio Spurs by two points despite holding a 16-point lead late in the second quarter.
“It’s easier to learn when it stings,” MVP guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said after the loss, according to ESPN. “Losing is where you find growth and where you really get better.”
First-choice lineup finally intact
Saturday marked the first time Oklahoma City’s regular starters had been available since winning last June’s NBA championship. The lineup’s return was not enough to preserve the club’s 24-1 opening run, which had tied the 2015-16 Warriors for the best 25-game start in league history.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with a game-high 29 points but committed a season-high five turnovers. “We can’t be spoiled,” he said. “If you show up and don’t do what’s necessary, you probably won’t win.”
Williams, Caruso stand out
Forward Jalen Williams contributed 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals while shooting 5-for-17. The third-year forward acknowledged the team had hoped to add the NBA Cup to its trophy case after last season’s 68-14 campaign ended with the league title. “We can go home and hang our hat on 24-2, or we can look at it as a way to get better,” he said.
Veteran guard Alex Caruso nearly sparked a late comeback, posting 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Oklahoma City outscored San Antonio by 22 points in his 24 minutes, including seven points, three rebounds and two steals in the fourth quarter.
Record chase takes a back seat
Before the game, Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged that surpassing Golden State’s 73-9 regular-season win mark would be “meaningful,” yet he emphasized that the Thunder remain committed to incremental improvement and a repeat title run. “Goals to me are pointless when they’re so far away,” he said after the defeat. “If we stack nights like we did tonight, we won’t even come close.”
Topic’s resilience draws praise
Williams also lauded 2024 lottery pick Nikola Topic, who is undergoing treatment for testicular cancer after missing his rookie year with a torn ACL. “He doesn’t feel sorry for himself,” Williams said. “He’s in the gym working out and trying to get better, which is insane to me.”
Oklahoma City will meet San Antonio twice more in the next five games, giving the defending champions an immediate chance to respond to their first setback since early November.
Source: HoopsRumors
