San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City, final score: Spurs out of bounds and defended by Thunder, 93-105

Oklahoma City (4-0), putting pressure on a Spurs team with its top-ranked defense, used an 18-2 run in the first quarter to establish itself as a comfortable lead that was not threatened in a 105-game victory -93. The Thunder started white hot from three (14 points in the first half), while many San Antonio offenses stalled deep in the paint with 2-3 defenders lurking. Chet Holmgren outscored his more touted counterpart for much of the first half with 15 points and two blocks, while Victor Wembanyama had his worst performance of the young season.

San Antonio (1-3) was once again led by Jeremy Sochan (17 points and 9 rebounds), joined by grizzled veterans Harrison Barnes (18 points and 4 rebounds) and Chris Paul (14 points and 9 assists). The team let Wembanyama (6 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks) down by not being able to find him in advantageous spots in the half court, which wasn’t helped by him being bogged down by his own frustrations. Malaki Branham scored 15 points off the bench.

The Thunder were led by Holmgren (19 points and 5 rebounds) who had four starters score in double figures: Luguentz Dort (20 points and 6 rebounds), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (18 points and 5 assists) and Jalen Williams (12 points and 5 assists). 8 assists) — a group that thoroughly outplayed their counterparts.

The visitors had considerable difficulty getting through the course amid a sea of ​​Thunder arms, settling for jumpers, many of which clanged off the edge. Oklahoma City’s success of three allowed them to settle into the catbird seat. While the Spurs held firm and kept OKC off the boards for the final two minutes of the opening, they still ended a tough opening frame down by seven.

The thunder (editor’s note(like a bad case of dysentery – JRW) made life difficult for San Antonio on both ends as they fired confidently and boldly from distance in their half-court offense. Spurs’ deficit rose to 19 before they found an experienced line-up that could go some way to deterring the hopeful contenders. Chris Paul’s timely shooting prevented OKC from running away with things, but the Thunder still went into the half down 59-44.

The Thunder started the second half by attacking the basket at will. Holmgren elbowed Wembanyama in the face on a drive, and Harrison Barnes’ fadeaway brought San Antonio within 11. Behind Barnes and Paul, the Spurs impressively won the quarter 26-23 despite Oklahoma’s astonishing success City at a distance.

Observations

• As the electrifying Celtics/Pacers tilt headed into overtime, the Spurs/Thunder broadcast started with San Antonio leading 10-7.
• OKC forces turnovers on one in five possessions, according to The Ringer’s Zach Kram. So they caused countless deflections and steals tonight.
• Those SATX uniforms are pretty meh.
• Now that Spurs are back on the national airwaves, we (well, especially me) are having to get used to the longer TV timeouts.
• It’s tough road games like this where Barnes has to assert himself more powerfully in attack – and he finally did!
• I’ve lost count of the times Tim Legler and Dave Pasch commented on San Antonio’s suboptimal offense.
• This was perhaps the first match this season that felt a little too big for Stephon Castle.
• Victor convenience: I’m not sure what to make of Wembanyama being stationed at the free throw line (like Dirk Nowitzki used to be). While he can see the floor well from that spot, he still can’t punish the defense with that mid-range jumper.
• Order of the game: After Zach Collins emphatically denied Aaron Wiggin’s dunk attempt early in the second period, Malaki Branham connected from the wing.
• In a quick opening of a handful of minutes, Spurs briefly held a small lead. Jalen William’s steal of Paul’s crosscourt pass and breakaway dunk drew Pop’s ire. San Antonio struggled to convert its looks from the perimeter, with Holmgren scoring two early goals of his own. While Spurs’ drought spanned nine tries, OKC expanded to a 20-10 lead. Zach Collins’ three and a spinning layup by Blake Wesley fended off an early blowout. The Thunder outscored the Spurs 26-19.
• San Antonio managed to commit a pair of shot clock violations on OKC late in the first and early in the second. Wembanyama fell to the ground with his defender and Jalen Williams found a streaking Holmgren for a transition dunk. A visibly frustrated and possibly injured Wembanyama went straight to the dressing room. Holmgren’s three on a turnover and Ajay Mitchell’s three put the Spurs down 19. After Holmgren inexplicably tried to knock a lob off the backboard, Paul hit a pair of threes to bring San Antonio within ten. Paul’s third three was answered very quickly by Jalen Williams and Luguentz Dort, and Spurs were fortunate to be only fifteen behind at the break.
• OKC held a layup parade to start the second half to even their largest lead at 19. Julian Champagnie encouragingly hit a corner three, and Barnes’ driving dunk brought San Antonio within two touchdowns. Dort’s second uncontested three of the frame again tied the Thunder at 19. Paul hit a patented mid-range jumper and found Sochan for an acrobatic layup. Barnes’ wing three brought Spurs within eight as they launched their first serious attack. After San Antonio’s best defensive stand of the game, Keldon Johnson’s three cut their deficit to seven.
• Malaki Branham’s bank shot three brought San Antonio within seven points again to start the fourth, which ended up being the closest they could get. No other Spurs could help Branham make a comeback in the stanza.

San Antonio heads west to a road SEGABABA against Lauri Markkanen and the Utah Jazz tomorrow night at 8:00 PM CDT.

Happy Halloween Pounders!