OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Thunder used a huge fourth-quarter advantage (35-21) to win handily against the San Antonio Spurs, 130-114.
The 16-point final margin of victory is a little deceiving. It was a two-point game to begin the fourth quarter. The non-SGA lineup expanded that into a 12-point lead by the time Shai Gilgeous-Alexander re-entered at the six-minute mark.
Gilgeous-Alexander was afforded the luxury of their lead growing despite him sitting on the bench because it was one of the more well-rounded team efforts of the season for the Thunder.
Of the 11 players who checked into the game, five scored at least 10 points and all 11 scored at least three points. The Thunder also scored a season-high 68 bench points.
The Thunder were hot from outside. They shot 13-of-24 (54.2%) from 3. A significant free-throw advantage also favored the Thunder, who went 25-of-31 (80.6%) from the line while the Spurs went 12-of-14 (85.7%).
Gilgeous-Alexander almost single-handedly outshot the Spurs from the free-throw line, 11 attempts to 14 attempts.
The Thunder finished their seven-game homestand, the longest of their season, with an easy win. They went 4-3 during the two-week stretch.
This game really showed how more advanced the Thunder are in their rebuild compared to the Spurs. Which makes sense! While both teams are three drafts into their respective rebuilds, the Thunder have had better lottery luck with their picks. In the last three drafts, the best pick the Spurs have had was No. 9. The Thunder have had two picks better than that in just the last two drafts.
The biggest concern following this impressive win involves Aleksej Pokusevski, who suffered a lower-leg injury less than two minutes into the game. Pokusevski immediately called for a sub and needed help to walk back into the locker room.
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault said there will be a further update in the coming days on Pokusevski.
Pokusevski, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Monday, is in the midst of his best season. In 31 games, Pokusevski is averaging 8.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and two assists. Any serious injury could derail Pokusevski’s chance of a contract extension this summer, depending on the severity of the injury.
Hopefully for Pokusevski’s sake and the Thunder’s sake, the injury is nothing serious.
With that sad note aside, let’s take a look at Thunder player grades.