The Spurs committed 21 turnovers and lost rookie guard Dylan Harper to injury in a 122-113 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday at the Paycom Center.
While the Spurs failed to grab a lead after the first quarter, the young San Antonio squad challenged the Thunder down the stretch, cutting the Oklahoma City lead to just two points early in the fourth quarter. The more experienced team repeatedly found answers to the Spurs’ scoring spurts with timely 3-pointers and trips to the foul line. With 1:25 left in the game, Spurs center Victor Wembanyama scored a driving layup to cut the lead to five points. The Spurs got a stop on defense, but on the ensuing possession guard Stephon Castle made an errant pass that bounced out of bounds with less than a minute left on the clock. The mistake quenched any hope of a 2-0 series lead for San Antonio.
After a 41-point masterpiece in Game 1, Wembanyama had a quieter display by his standards on Wednesday, posting 21 points. The Thunder altered its defensive strategy to counter Wembanyama, utilizing 7-foot center Isaiah Hartenstein almost exclusively against the French phenom. The Spurs also reeled after the loss of their budding rookie guard Dylan Harper. On the day he was named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team, a hamstring injury forced Harper to the locker room midway through the third quarter. The Spurs consistently relied on the rookie’s standout ability to drive to the rim and finish through contact, and his exit limited San Antonio significantly on offense.
Spurs starting point guard De’Aaron Fox was ruled out for his second consecutive game, and both Fox and Harper are game-time decisions for the Spurs’ return home on Friday. The lack of healthy guards placed a heavy weight on the shoulders of Castle, who struggled to keep the ball in the Spurs’ possession. After his 11 turnovers nearly cost San Antonio the victory in Game 1, Castle committed nine additional fumbles on Wednesday, including the game-sealing mistake.
“I think it’s more personal on my end, just really speeding myself up,” Castle said. “Some of it comes with fatigue, but at this point in the season there’s really no excuse.”
The Thunder scored 27 points off of the Spurs’ turnovers. The Thunder’s undisputed leader, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, bounced back from a poor Game 1 performance to lead the defending champions with 30 points and nine assists. Despite his turnovers, Castle led the Spurs offensively with 25 points. Guard Devin Vassell scored 22 points and netted six 3-pointers.
The teams will travel to San Antonio for Game 3 on Friday, tipping off at 7:30 p.m. at the Frost Bank Center.
