Spurs sweep Thunder for the fourth time! Vembanyama posts 22+14, Johnson scores 25; multiple Thunder key players rested

On February 5th Beijing time, the Spurs won 116-106 against the Thunder at home, sweeping the opponent this season and holding a 4-1 record in their matchups. Thunder’s Alexander was sidelined with an abdominal injury, while Jalen Williams, Holmgren, Hartenstein, Dort, Caruso, and Ajayi-Mitchell among other key rotation players did not play. Three Thunder role players scored over 20 points. The Spurs led by as much as 22 points, but the depleted Thunder managed to cut the deficit to single digits at one point. Ultimately, the Thunder lost on the road. Keldon Johnson scored 25 points, and Vembanyama contributed 22 points and 14 rebounds.

Statistics

Thunder: Kenrich Williams 25 points 9 rebounds, Jalen Williams 24 points 12 rebounds 4 assists 2 blocks, Wiggins 20 points 4 rebounds 6 assists 5 steals, Wallace 13 points 5 assists 3 steals, Barnheiser 14 points 3 rebounds 5 assists, Yabrlad 5 points 3 rebounds 2 blocks, Carlson 3 points 7 rebounds

Spurs: Johnson 25 points 6 rebounds, Vembanyama 22 points 14 rebounds, Fox 15 points 4 rebounds 10 assists, Castle 14 points 3 rebounds 4 assists, Champagne 8 points 5 rebounds 3 assists, Carter-Bryant 11 points 5 rebounds 2 steals, Barnes 9 points 7 rebounds, Cornette 4 points 15 rebounds

Player of the Game

Vembanyama and Johnson performed excellently, helping the Spurs secure their fourth win over the Thunder this season.

Game Recap

In the first quarter, Vassell hit a mid-range jumper, Castle finished an alley-oop dunk, and Vembanyama completed a 2+1 play, as the Spurs started with a 7-2 run. Jalen Williams and Wallace scored mid-range shots, Champagne and Wiggins traded threes, Johnson and Vassell hit consecutive three-pointers, and the Spurs led by 10. Joe scored a mid-range jumper, Yabrlad and Wiggins combined for 5 points, cutting the Thunder’s deficit to two. Johnson hit a three, Carter-Bryant made a put-back dunk, and the Spurs went on a 12-2 run to extend the lead again. Jalen Williams hit a three, Fox scored 4 straight points. The first quarter ended with the Spurs leading 39-26 over the Thunder.

In the second quarter, McLaughlin and Barnes nailed consecutive threes, Kenrich Williams and Yabrlad scored mid-range shots, Vembanyama scored inside, Champagne made a put-back basket, and the Spurs led by as much as 22 points. Kenrich Williams, Jalen Williams, Wiggins, and Barnheiser hit threes in succession, narrowing the gap to 10 points. Fox scored on a layup, Bryant and Vembanyama hit threes, Carlson and Champagne traded three-pointers, and Kenrich Williams scored a buzzer-beater mid-range shot. At halftime, the Spurs led 73-58. Wiggins led the Thunder with 16 points, while Johnson was the Spurs’ top scorer with 13 points.

After the break, Jalen Williams and Kenrich Williams hit threes, Vembanyama dunked, Castle scored on a layup, Wiggins and Jalen Williams made consecutive free throws, cutting the Thunder’s deficit to 7 points. At a crucial moment, Johnson stepped up and scored 12 straight points, pushing the lead back to 14. Kenrich Williams scored 5 points in a row, Fox hit a mid-range jumper, Barnheiser made a three, and Wiggins scored from mid-range. After three quarters, the Spurs led 95-85.

In the final quarter, Kenrich Williams hit a three, Vembanyama made a put-back dunk, Wallace scored on a layup, Cornette dunked, Barnheiser hit a three, and Jalen Williams made two free throws. Fox scored a mid-range jumper, Wallace hit a three, Kenrich Williams made a put-back, narrowing the gap to 4 points. Castle scored a mid-range jumper, Vembanyama finished an alley-oop layup, Wallace scored on a layup, Vembanyama made another put-back, and Castle and Vembanyama continued to create plays, allowing the Spurs to pull away again and eventually secure the win.

Starting Lineups

Thunder: Joe, Wallace, Wiggins, Kenrich Williams, Jalen Williams

Spurs: Fox, Castle, Vassell, Champagne, Vembanyama