Three Takeaways from the OKC Thunder's 36-Point Derailment of the San Antonio Spurs

There are plenty of discussion points following this highly anticipated matchup, and Chet Holmgren versus Victor Wembanyama wasn't the most notable.

Through the Thunder's 123-87 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night, Oklahoma City notched its seventh win on the season and first win in the NBA In-Season Tournament.

At 7-4, this marks the team's best start to a season since 2013-14.

It was a hard-fought contest before Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander truly opened things up at the end of the first half with a 13-0 run, going up by 10 and setting Oklahoma City up for a massive first half which San Antonio could not combat.

The team put on a defensive clinic, registering 19 steals and causing 25 total turnovers.

While many expected Chet Holmgren-Victor Wembanyama to clash, the pair were fairly timid, each combining for just 17 points on 7-for-25 from the field.

Let's take a look at three meaningful takeaways from Oklahoma City's 36-point victory.

Two-Way SGA Steals All the Thunder

Gilgeous-Alexander quite literally stole the show from the long awaited Holmgren-Wembanyama regular season matchup, while also stealing the show defensively.

Seven steals on the night, many leading to fast break points — which the Thunder had 31 of — marked Gilgeous-Alexander's career-high in takeaways.

He excelled offensively once again and excelled early, scoring 10 in the first quarter and ultimately wound up with 28 points on 10-of-16 from the field.

This would be his fifth game in a row to post 25 points shooting 55% from the field or better, making it the longest streak in Thunder franchise history. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his 5th straight game with 25 points on 55% FG, that is the longest streak in Thunder franchise history.

SGA also did it on the defensive end vs Spurs, setting a new career-high with 7 steals in the game on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/5bGJhfOexA

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 15, 2023

Kenny Hustle Returns 

It was finally time for Kenrich Williams to make his season debut as he'd struggled from back spasms to begin the season, and it was surely an impactful night for the do-it-all forward.

Williams would register his first minutes nearing the end of the first quarter, but found his most meaningful action in the second. As soon as he returned to the court the next quarter, he was tasked with holding 7-foot-4 Wembanyama at bay.

Along with hounding all-around team defense, Williams and co. were able to contain Wembanyama all things considered, and the effort from Williams eventually helped the Thunder in building its 10-point lead by the end of the half.

He'd add a three and an alley-oop slam in the quarter and would also find some time in clean up duty, posting nine points and two assists in 15 minutes. 

Josh Giddey Finds His Playmaking Groove

As mentioned, Giddey just needs time to continue finding his rhythm and role within this offense.

He was able to to do that on Tuesday night, throwing dime after dime to Holmgren cutting and plenty others, setting up players and doing it with efficiency. 

While still posting three turnovers, they'd be overshadowed by Giddey's seven assists and seven rebounds, and also his 18 added points as the team's second-leading scorer behind Gilgeous-Alexander.

The 6-foot-8 guard's confidence as a facilitator was exuberant throughout the game, and it ultimately helped the Thunder navigate offensively and establish its fast-pace play style on the night.

Going forward, expect more of these types of games from the third-year guard — a rough initial 10 games shouldn't deter him from regularly returning to these types of performances.

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Coming off a telling win against the Phoenix Suns two nights before, ending Tuesday night with a 36-point victory over a young and talented Spurs team displays the mental and physical fortitude this Thunder team competes with. 

It was a very impressive night from top to bottom for Oklahoma City.

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