Thunder Rally Behind Rookies to Down Spurs, 102-90
While the Oklahoma City Thunder remain in pursuit of a Play-In position with the NBA regular season dwindling away, they took on a rebuilding San Antonio Spurs on Sunday night. The Thunder took a solid 102-90 win against the Spurs, who were without Jeremy Sochan and Keldon Johnson.
Early on, the Thunder looked like a team that was playing on the second night of a back-to-back, which included a daylight savings loss of sleep in between. They were also without their best player in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Towards the end of the first frame, the Thunder began to pick things up, ending the quarter on a 7-0 run to give themselves a 29-19 first quarter lead. Josh Giddey had a solid quarter with six points, five boards and three assists as he controlled the Thunder’s offense.
The second quarter gave the Thunder an opportunity to run away with the game, but they were unable to capitalize. However, there was a huge bright spot for Oklahoma City in the first half as Ousmane Dieng racked up 11 points and five rebounds on 5-of-9 shooting. The Thunder took a 52-47 lead into halftime.
Dieng would continue his big game into the third frame, where he scored six points. He played a key role in the Thunder maintaining a lead. The team came away from the third quarter with a 78-71, whereas Dieng came away from the quarter with a new career-high in points. He had 17 points through three frames. The other two rookies, Jalen Williams and Jaylin Williams both brought a solid impact in the quarter to help maintain the lead.
In the final frame, the Thunder brought some solid stretches together to maintain their double digit lead. Dario Saric brought some timely buckets and tight passes to boost the squad. He's been a seamless addition into the rotation since being brought in from Phoenix.
The Spurs weren't going to go away, and they got the game within single-digits with around two minutes to go, but Jalen Williams knocked down a big time 3-pointer and a clutch free throw to get the Thunder back up 12 points.
This essentially put the game away for the Thunder, sealing the win and shutting down any idea of a comeback. Jalen Williams finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and ten assists on 7-of-18 shooting as he put this game away.
Dieng brought a career-high in multiple facets, scoring a career-high 17 points and pulling down a career-high eight rebounds in his 25th career game. He shot 7-of-15 in doing so, too.
Jaylin Williams' impact can't be understated, either. He brought effort and energy on both sides of the ball and continues to prove himself as a connector on both ends. Josh Giddey had yet another 10-10-5 game, finishing with 15 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
The Thunder will look to win their third-straight game on Tuesday, March 14th as they take on the Brooklyn Nets.
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