The San Antonio Spurs, simply, couldn’t make up for their wretched third quarter.
After being outscored in the period by 16, San Antonio tried to battle back — eventually closing the gap to 12 points midway through the fourth quarter — but fell to the Thunder, 119-98, Tuesday, Jan. 13. And with that, Oklahoma City claimed its first win in four tries this season against the Spurs.
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Thunder, scoring 34 points on 11-of-23 shooting, adding 5 rebounds and 5 assists. For Gilgeous-Alexander, it was his 28th game this season of 30 or more points. It also marked his 111th consecutive game with at least 20, leaving him just 15 games shy of tying Wilt Chamberlain’s all-time record of 126.
But it was defense that led the way for Oklahoma City, especially in the second half. The Thunder blocked a season-high 11 shots against the Spurs and forced San Antonio into 12 turnovers.
One other area where the Thunder reasserted their dominance was the paint; after struggling down low in recent weeks, Oklahoma City outscored the Spurs in the paint by a margin of 56-40.
Victor Wembanyama scored just 17 points on 7-of-15 shooting and Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 20 points.
Thunder forward Jalen Williams chipped in 20 points and Alex Caruso added 13 off the bench.
Scroll down below for highlights and a recap of the action.
Spurs vs. Thunder highlights
End Q3: Thunder 95, Spurs 76
The third quarter was one of runs.
First came Oklahoma City, which launched an 11-0 run early in the period. Then it was San Antonio, which responded with a 7-0 spurt, one that came — for the most part — with Victor Wembanyama, who had crashed knees with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, on the bench.
The Thunder then answered with another massive run, this one 14-1, one that helped them take a commanding lead headed into the fourth. In fact, the Thunder outscored San Antonio 40-24 in the third.
Oklahoma City rode its defense to ignite in transition and leave the Spurs scrambling to get back.
Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 15 points in a massive third quarter to give him a game-high 30 points.
The Thunder bench was also key in the quarter and now has 28 points, compared to just 19 from the San Antonio reserves.
WATCH: Wemby erases a Chet Holmgren shot
End Q2: Thunder 55, Spurs 52
If the first half was any indication of what’s to come, hoops fans should be thrilled.
Both teams have battled through 12 ties and seven lead changes in what was a competitive — if uneven — game, at least on offense.
Oklahoma City, which has lost the first three matchups thus far against the Spurs, had indicated that it was not pleased with its defensive performance in the first games of the series. This time, to slow the Spurs down, Oklahoma City has leaned on a spot 2-3 zone that has flustered San Antonio.
Interestingly, both teams struggled from the 3-point range, combining to shoot just 9-of-34 (26.5%) from beyond the arc, though there was one player who was lighting it up from deep. Spurs forward Julian Champagnie laced 3 of his 7 tries from 3 to chip in 9 points.
Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle are pacing the Spurs with 10 points apiece, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads all scorers with 15.
End Q1: Thunder 32, Spurs 26
It wasn’t high scoring, but it was filled with plenty of action.
The fourth meeting between these two teams started with a back-and-forth first period that was emblematic of why this budding rivalry has been so fascinating. Both teams flashed offensive sizzle (with a pair of early Victor Wembanyama dunks) and clamp-down defense.
Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted a solid quarter, scoring 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting to lead all players. His foil at point guard, De’Aaron Fox, struggled from the floor and was held scoreless on 2 attempts.
San Antonio’s 6 offensive rebounds helped the Spurs take an early edge in second-chance points (8-5) and its bench also outscored OKC’s (15-7). But the Thunder closed the period on a 12-2 run to take an early lead.
Rookie guard Dylan Harper came off the bench but led all Spurs players with 7 points.
And we’re off
The Spurs picked up in this rivalry right where they left off, starting the game with two straight dunks — one by Stephon Castle and the other by Victor Wembanyama — the latter coming over rival Chet Holmgren.
As Wembanyama trotted down the court, he made sure to scrunch his face in disapproval.
Minutes later, Castle and Wembanyama collaborated on a give-and-go that Wemby finished with an alley-oop — again over Holmgren.
The Thunder, however, would answer with a steady dose of buckets but trailed 13-11 into the first media timeout.
Starting lineups
San Antonio Spurs
De’Aaron Fox
Stephon Castle
Julian Champagnie
Harrison Barnes
Victor Wembanyama
Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Cason Wallace
Aaron Wiggins
Jalen Williams
Chet Holmgren
How to watch Spurs vs. Thunder
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 13
Time: 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)
Where: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City
TV: NBC
Stream: NBC Sports App, Peacock
Spurs vs. Thunder odds, lines
All odds via BetMGM as of afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 13
Spread: Thunder (-8.5)
Moneyline: Thunder (-325); Spurs (+260)
Over/Under: 230.5
Spurs, Thunder injuries tonight
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell remains out as he continues to recover from a left adductor strain.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort will miss the game with left foot soreness, and center Isaiah Hartenstein is out with a right calf strain.
