NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
This is a sentence I never thought I’d write (and may never write again), but it’s true about this Western Conference Finals:
The team with Victor Wembanyama is not the one forcing the most adjustments.
At least not heading into a critical Game 4 at home for San Antonio. Mathematically, Game 4 is not “must win” for the Spurs, already in these playoffs we have seen two teams come from 3-1 down to win a series. Realistically, that is not going to happen against Oklahoma City. Victor Wembanyama understands that.
Advertisement
“We’re going to see what we’re made of,” he said after a Game 3 loss at home where he and the Spurs raced out to a 15-0 lead at the start but ended up losing by 15 when the final buzzer sounded.
Here are three things to look for in Game 4, which will take place at 8 p.m. ET Sunday in San Antonio, a showdown you can watch on NBC or stream on Peacock.
If you just look at the counting stats, you might argue MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is struggling this series: 26.7 points a game on just 39.1% shooting and 28.6% from 3.
You’d be wrong. Gilgeous-Alexander is controlling this series and dictated the last two Thunder wins by his ability to read and process defenses so quickly, then make the right play. The Thunder are getting the shots they want, shots they like.
Advertisement
SGA has been drawing defenders, seeing how the Spurs are bringing a third defender to his side of the court (usually at the nail), then picking San Antonio’s defense apart, setting up teammates for big games. It was evident in Game 3 when he had 12 assists to just two turnovers, and for the series he’s averaging 11 assists to 2.3 turnovers per game.
Part of the problem for San Antonio is that they want to force the ball to Oklahoma City’s worst shooters, but then Alex Caruso turns around and hits eight 3-pointers in Game 1. The Spurs don’t roll out terrible shooters, and if you let guys like Jaylin Williams (five 3-pointers in Game 3) or Lu Dort or anyone else on their roster set their feet, they’ll knock it down.
And SGA is finding the open players who have time to set their feet and shoot in rhythm.
I’d say the Spurs need to find a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/oklahoma-city-thunder-vs-san-001210646.html
Author :
Publish date : 2026-05-24 00:12:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
