The San Antonio Spurs had been seemingly headed towards ending a painful dropping streak on Wednesday night time towards the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center.
But the developments that haunted the workforce for all of November reared its ugly head as soon as once more on the ultimate day of the month, as San Antonio (6-16) dropped its ninth straight game in a 119-111 loss to the Thunder (9-13).
“The tenacity and purpose we had in the first half, it just dissipated in the second half,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich stated. “(The Thunder) were a good part of that, they did a good job.”
San Antonio led by as many as 20 proper earlier than halftime. Like the youthful Spurs, expectations for a younger Thunder workforce have minimal this season. OKC’s deficit was comprehensible given the workforce was with out it is best participant and an MVP-like expertise in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was sidelined resulting from a hip harm.
And but, this meant little to the Thunder within the second half. Rookie Jalen Williams led the second-half comeback, leaving the Spurs and Popovich for zero excuses as to what we mistaken. Putting all of it on “youth” is hardly purpose.
“Forty-eight minutes is a long time,” Popovich stated. “We’ve had a lot of good halves or two-and-a-half quarters and all that, but rarely do we put four quarters of fundamental, sound defense and offense together. Part of it (is being) a young team, but (the Thunder) are a young team too and they did it.”
There’s little doubt the Thunder are budding with spectacular expertise. Williams, who the Thunder chosen No. 12 general this previous June, posted a career-high 27 factors within the win whereas guard Josh Giddey, who OKC took No. 6 general final season, tallied 14 factors and 14 rebounds. Thunder standout ahead Luguentz Dort has give the Spurs hassle up to now and stored it up on Wednesday with 23 factors and 4 assists.
The Thunder made fewer 3s, dedicated extra turnovers, had fewer assists and led by as many as eight. But even with out Gilgeous-Alexander on the ground, this nonetheless wasn’t sufficient for the stumbling Spurs to safe a win towards a workforce that’s on the same rebuilding trajectory.
The Spurs will look to finish their dropping woes once they host the New Orleans Pelicans for the second time this season on Friday.
You can comply with Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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