San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City, Final Score: Spurs outrebounded and defended by Thunder, 93-105

Oklahoma City (4-0), which put the Spurs team in trouble with its top-class defense, used an 18-2 run in the first quarter to secure a comfortable lead that would not be jeopardized by a 105-93 victory became. The Thunder got off to a quick start from three goals down (14 goals in the first half), while many of San Antonio's attacks failed deep in the offsides with 2-3 defenders lurking nearby. Chet Holmgren prevailed over his better-known colleague for much of the first half with 15 points and two blocks, while Victor Wembanyama achieved his worst result of the young season.

San Antonio (1-3) was again led by Jeremy Sochan (17 points and 9 rebounds), accompanied 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 because they couldn't find him in advantageous spots in the halfcourt, which wasn't helped by him getting stuck in his own frustrations. Malaki Branham contributed 15 points off the bench.

The Thunder were led by Holmgren (19 points and 5 rebounds), who had four starters 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 clearly outperformed their opponents.

The visitors had considerable difficulty navigating the alley amid a sea of ​​thundering arms, settling for jumpers, many of whom fell off the edge with a clatter. Oklahoma City's three-game success allowed them to settle into the catbird spot. While the Spurs steadied themselves in the final two minutes of the first period and kept OKC off the boards, they still ended a difficult first frame trailing by seven.

The thunder (Editor's note: like a bad case of dysentery – JRW) San Antonio made life difficult on both sides as they confidently and boldly shot from distance in their half-court offense. Spurs' deficit rose to 19 before they found an experienced line-up that could somewhat deter their hopeful rivals. Chris Paul's timely shot prevented OKC from running away, but the Thunder still took a 59-44 lead at halftime.

The Thunder began the second half attacking the basket at will. Holmgren hit Wembanyama in the face with an elbow on a drive, and Harrison Barnes' fadeaway brought San Antonio within 11 points. Behind Barnes and Paul, the Spurs managed to win the quarter impressively 26:23 despite Oklahoma City's amazing success from distance.

Observations

• As the thrilling tension between the Celtics and Pacers continued into overtime, the Spurs/Thunder broadcast began with San Antonio leading 10-7.
• According to Zach Kram of The Ringer, OKC forces a turnover on every fifth possession. In doing so, they created countless deflections and steals in triumph tonight.
• These SATX uniforms are pretty mediocre.
• With the Spurs being broadcast nationally again, we (well, especially me) will have to get used to the longer television breaks.
• It's tough away games like this where Barnes has to assert himself more on offense – and in the end he did that!
• I've lost count of how many times Tim Legler and Dave Pasch have commented on San Antonio's subpar offense.
• This may have been the first game this season that felt a little too big for Stephon Castle.
• Victor Ease: I'm not sure what to think about Wembanyama being at the free throw line (like Dirk Nowitzki used to be). Although he can see the floor well from this position, he still can't punish the defense with that mid-range jumper.
• Course of the game: After Zach Collins emphatically blocked Aaron Wiggin's dunk attempt early in the second period, Malaki Branham scored from the wing.
• In the fast-paced first few minutes, the Spurs briefly had a small lead. Jalen Williams' steal of Paul's crosscourt pass and breakaway dunk earned Pop's ire. San Antonio struggled to convert its attacks from the perimeter, while Holmgren scored two early goals. With the Spurs' field goal drought stretching to nine attempts, OKC built a 20-10 lead. Zach Collins' three-pointer and a Blake Wesley layup staved off an early turnover. The Thunder trailed the Spurs 26-19 after one game.
• San Antonio managed to commit two shot clock violations against OKC near the end of the first period and the beginning of the second. Wembanyama fell to the ground with his defender, and Jalen Williams found a charging Holmgren for a transition dunk. A visibly frustrated and possibly injured Wembanyama went straight to the dressing room. Holmgren's three-pointer off an inbounds turnover and Ajay Mitchell's three-pointer brought the Spurs to 19 points. After Holmgren inexplicably tried to knock a lob off the backboard, Paul hit two three-pointers to bring San Antonio within ten points. Paul's third three was answered very quickly by Jalen Williams and Luguentz Dort, and the Spurs were lucky to only be down 15 points at halftime.
• OKC staged a layup parade early in the second half to erase its largest lead at 19 points. Julian Champagnie hit an encouraging corner three, and Barnes' driving dunk brought San Antonio within two touchdowns. Dort's second uncontested three-pointer of the frame put the Thunder up 19 again. Paul hit a patented mid-range jumper and found Sochan for an acrobatic layup. Barnes' wing three brought Spurs within eight as they made their first serious push. After San Antonio's best defensive performance of the game, Keldon Johnson's three cut their deficit to seven.
• Malaki Branham's bankshot three-pointer once again brought San Antonio within seven points to start the fourth period, which ended up being the closest they could get. No other Spurs could help Branham attempt a comeback in this stanza.

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

Happy Halloween mashers!