By Tom Orsborn, Staff writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2024-10-31 00:40:06
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
2024年10月30日，星期三，在俄克拉荷马城进行的一场NBA篮球比赛下半场，俄克拉荷马雷霆队后卫阿杰·米切尔(Ajay Mitchell)试图从圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)手中抢断，而雷霆队前锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)则在防守。（美联社照片/内特·比林斯）
俄克拉荷马城——格雷格·波波维奇(Gregg Popovich)通常在终场哨响几分钟后就开始他的赛后新闻发布会。
但周三晚上，在目睹马刺队以93-105的比分不敌俄克拉荷马雷霆队后，情况并非如此。这场比赛中马刺队表现糟糕，文班亚马5投1中仅得生涯最低的6分，三分球3投0中。
“抱歉让你们久等了。我首先要对我的球队说几句话，”波波维奇说道。
这位教练拒绝透露他的具体讲话内容，但他明确表示，他对球队无法打满48分钟感到沮丧。
“那是一支非常好的防守球队，一支非常好的球队，”他谈到4胜0负的雷霆队时说道。“这是一支季后赛球队，很可能会在季后赛中走得很远，甚至可能做得更好。所以，这是事实。他们是一支比我们更好的球队。但这无关紧要。我们正努力达到他们的水平，这就是篮球。让每个人都更上一层楼的，都是一样的东西，一层又一层。对我们来说，首先要意识到这是一场48分钟的比赛。”
马刺队以1胜3负的战绩落后，半场结束时以44-59落后，第三节初一度落后多达19分。
“下半场，我们和他们打平了，”波波维奇说。“但那是24分钟，而不是48分钟。我认为这可能是我们需要理解的最重要的事情，你必须在每一节，每一次进攻中都全力以赴。”
哈里森·巴恩斯(Harrison Barnes)以18分领衔马刺队，他补充道：“我们需要带着气势打球，带着目标打球，并保持这种努力和专注。”
SHOW OUT THEN, HARRISON
pic.twitter.com/vUgqJIspKh
— San Antonio Spurs (@ spurs) October 31, 2024
糟糕的控球——22次失误——也是一个大问题。
“我们因失误丢了27分，”波波维奇说。“我们几乎追平了去年28分的纪录。这不好。所以，问题就在这里。所以要称赞他们。他们训练有素，纪律严明，始终如一。我喜欢他们的球队。但我也爱我的球队。但我们比他们要做更多的工作。我们的球员明白这一点，接受这一点，并以专业的态度对待它。我们希望在所有这些方面都更加稳定。”
巴恩斯说进攻缺乏跑动。
“是球的移动，球员的移动，”他说。“他们是一支很棒的球队，队里有很多优秀的防守球员。但归根结底，如果我们不移动球，如果不移动人，无论我们和谁比赛都会很困难。”
雷霆队上半场三分球26投13中，以39-12领先马刺队。他们全场三分球41投17中（41.5%），而马刺队面对联盟顶级防守，三分球36投仅12中（33.3%）。
卢·多尔特(Lu Dortz)凭借三分球8投6中，砍下全队最高的20分。切特·霍姆格伦10投7中得到19分，三分球3投3中。
以下是马刺队本赛季15个背靠背比赛的第一场的三点观察：
- 文班亚马状态挣扎，但保持积极
无论是由于他忙碌的夏天，还是季前赛出场时间有限，文班亚马都在苦苦挣扎。但他绝对没有对自己的表现或球队感到恐慌。
“我只是觉得每个人都保持着正确的精神状态，”他说。“但也许，我不知道是不是因为我们年轻，或者我不知道，也许感觉有点迷失。”
这位7尺3寸的明星中锋之前得分最低的比赛是上赛季12月21日对阵芝加哥的7分。除了对阵雷霆队的糟糕投篮外，他还出现了全队最高的4次失误。
周三的糟糕表现是在他前三场比赛中有两场表现不佳之后出现的。
2024年10月30日，星期三，在俄克拉荷马城进行的一场NBA篮球比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋哈里森·巴恩斯(Harrison Barnes)带球突破俄克拉荷马雷霆队后卫谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大(Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)的防守。（美联社照片/内特·比林斯）
“我对文班没有任何担忧，”巴恩斯说。“我近距离看到过他训练。我和他一起在训练馆训练过。他的心态是正确的。他的注意力很集中。他投入了时间。我对文班没有任何担忧。”
无论如何，很明显，他正在努力恢复上赛季一致票当选年度最佳新秀时的历史性状态。
- 教练们想淡化文班与霍姆格伦的对决
两位教练都在赛前向记者强调，这两支球队本赛季的三场比赛应该被宣传为马刺队对阵雷霆队，而不是文班亚马对阵霍姆格伦。
“我根本不考虑切特对阵文班，”波波维奇说。“这不是重点。这是马刺队和雷霆队的比赛，他们互相比赛。”
俄克拉荷马雷霆队主教练马克·戴格诺特(Mark Daigneault)也驳斥了任何认为比赛场馆的招牌上应该写着：“城里最热门的门票：文班对阵霍姆格伦”的观点。
2024年10月30日，星期三，在俄克拉荷马城进行的一场NBA篮球比赛上半场，圣安东尼奥马刺队中锋维克托·文班亚马(Victor Wembanyama)从俄克拉荷马雷霆队前锋切特·霍姆格伦(Chet Holmgren)头顶传球。（美联社照片/内特·比林斯）
“我们总是试图专注于团队内部，”戴格诺特说。“当人们问到关于那场特定对决的问题时，我总是说这是雷霆队对阵马刺队。今晚也不例外，我们的球队在这方面以身作则……我们从第一天起就一直这样做。”
尽管他们尽力了，但教练们可能无法阻止它成为媒体的主要故事情节。
- 早在克里斯·保罗之前，马刺队就有鲁迪·盖伊
无论马刺队本赛季在哪里比赛，记者都可能会问波波维奇关于保罗对这支年轻球队的影响。他在俄克拉荷马城被问到了这个问题，并确保将哈里森·巴恩斯也纳入他的回答中。
“他们那里有几个导师，他们可以听取他们的意见，向他们学习，并分享他们的经验，”波波维奇说。“这对年轻球员来说真的很好，所以他们在这方面都做得很好。”
巧合的是，当波波维奇被问及鲁迪·盖伊(Rudy Gay)在周二宣布在NBA征战17个赛季后正式退役时，另一位善于与年轻球员相处的球员的名字也被提及。盖伊在他漫长的职业生涯中效力过五支不同的球队，其中包括2017-2021年在马刺队的四年。
波波维奇说，在这位前锋宣布退役后，他给盖伊打了个电话表示祝贺。
“他是一个和蔼可亲的人，拥有漫长而美好的职业生涯，”波波维奇说。“很棒的队友。每个人都喜欢他。总是面带微笑，很有幽默感。他是一个优秀的职业球员。”
这位前锋在马刺队的256场比赛中场均得到11.5分。在圣安东尼奥，他从来没有一个赛季场均得分低于10分。
但正如波波维奇指出的那样，他是一位杰出的队友，总是照顾他的年轻队友。
图片说明文字缺失
点击查看原文：3 takeaways as Wembanyama finishes with a career-low six points
3 takeaways as Wembanyama finishes with a career-low six points
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) tries to steal the ball from San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, right, as Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, center, defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Foto/Nate Billings)
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gregg Popovich usually starts his post-game press conference just minutes after the final buzzer sounds.
But that wasn’t the case after he watched the Spurs fall 105-93 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night in a sloppy performance that saw Victor Wembanyama score a career-low six points on 1-for-5 shooting, including 0 for 3 from 3-point range.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. I had a few things to say to my team first,” Popovich said.
The coach declined to share his specific message, but he made it clear he was upset with his team’s inability to perform for 48 minutes.
“That’s a very good defensive team, a very good team altogether,” he said of the 4-0 Thunder. “It’s a playoff team that very possibly will go very deep into the playoffs and maybe even do better than that. So, that’s a fact. They’re a better team than we are. But it’s also beside the point. We’re trying to get to their level, and it’s basketball. It’s the same things that get everybody to the next level, the next level, next level. And the first thing for us is to realize it’s a 48 minute game.”
In falling to 1-3, the Spurs trailed 59-44 at halftime and by as many as 19 points early in the third quarter.
“The second half, we played them even,” Popovich said. “But that’s 24 minutes, not 49. I think that’s probably the biggest thing for us to understand, that you have to bring it every quarter, every possession.”
Harrison Barnes, who led the Spurs with 18 points, added, “We need to play with presence, play with intention and sustain that effort and focus.”
SHOW OUT THEN, HARRISON
— San Antonio Spurs (@ spurs) October 31, 2024
The poor ball security — 22 turnovers — was also a big problem.
“We gave up 27 points off turnovers,” Popovich said. “We almost hit our record of 28 last year. That’s not good. So, that’s where it’s at. So give them credit. They are really well coached, disciplined, consistent. I love their team. But I love my team, too. But we’ve got more work to do than they do. And our guys understand that, embrace it, are professional about it. We want to be more consistent in all those areas.”
Barnes said the offense suffered from a lack of movement.
“It’s ball movement, player movement,” he said. “They are a great team, a lot of great defensive players on their team. But at the end of the day, if we are not moving the ball, if we are not moving bodies, it’s going to be difficult regardless of who we are playing.”
The Thunder held a 39-12 lead in points from beyond the arc in the first half after sinking 13 of 26. They finished the game 17 for 41 from deep (41.5%), while the Spurs hit just 12 of 36 (33.3%) against the NBA’s top defense.
Lu Dortz led Oklahoma City with 20 points on the strength of 6 for 8 from distance. Chet Holmgren finished with 19 points on 7 for 10 from the field, including a perfect 3 for 3 from downtown.
Here are three takeaways from the first game of the first of 15 back-to-backs the Spurs will play this season:
1. Victor Wembanyama is struggling but staying positive
Whether it’s because of his busy summer or a preseason in which he played sparingly, Wembanyama is struggling. But he’s definitely not panicking about his play or the team in general.
“I just think everybody’s in the right spirit,” he said. “But maybe, I don’t know if it’s our youth, or I don’t know, maybe feeling a little lost.”
The 7-foot-3 star center’s previous low scoring night was seven points against Chicago on Dec. 21 last season. In addition to his poor shooting against the Thunder, he committed a team-worst four turnovers.
Wednesday’s stinker came after he also struggled in two of his first three games.
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
“I have no concerns about Victor,” Barnes said. “I have seen him up close, working. I have been in the gym with him working. His mind is right. His focus is there. He puts in the time. I have zero concerns about Victor whatsoever.”
Whatever the case, it’s clear he’s struggling to regain the historic form he displayed last season en route to winning the rookie of the year in a unanimous vote.
2. Coaches want to downplay Wemby vs. Holmgren angle
Both coaches emphasized to reporters pre-game that the three games these teams will play against each other this season should be billed as Spurs vs. Thunder, not Wembanyama vs. Holmgren.
“I give no thought to Chet vs. Wemby,” Popovich said. “That’s not what this is about. It’s the Spurs and it’s the Thunder, and they play each other.”
Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault also shot down any notion that the marquee on the arena where the game is being played should read: “Hottest ticket in town: Wemby vs. Holmgren.”
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) passes the ball over Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
“We always try to stay inside the team,” Daigneault said. “When people ask questions about that particular matchup, I always say it’s Thunder versus Spurs. It’s no different tonight, and our team walks the walk on that…We’ve done that from day one.”
Try as they might, though, the coaches probably can’t stop it from being the main storyline for the media.
3. Long before Chris Paul, the Spurs had Rudy Gay
Wherever the Spurs play this season, a reporter is likely to ask Popovich about Paul’s impact on the young team. He got that question in Oklahoma City and made sure to also include Harrison Barnes in his answer.
“They’re having a couple of mentors there that they can hear from, learn from and share their experiences,” Popovich said. “It’s really good for the young guys, so they’ve both been wonderful in that regard.”
Coincidentally, another player who was great with younger players came up when Popovich was asked about Rudy Gay announcing on Tuesday his retirement from the NBA after 17 seasons. Gay played for five different teams during his long career, including a four-year stint with the Spurs that lasted from 2017-2021.
Popovich said he placed a congratulatory phone call to Gay after the forward made the announcement.
“He’s a sweet man and had a good long career,” Popovich said. “Great teammate. Everybody loved him. Always had a smile, great sense of humor. He was a good pro.”
The forward averaged 11.5 points per game for the Spurs over 256 games. He never had a season in San Antonio when he didn’t average 10-plus points per outing.
But as Popovich pointed out, he was an outstanding teammate who always looked out for his younger teammates.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) tries to steal the ball from San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, right, as Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, center, defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, left, shoots next to Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan, left, shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots against San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, second from left, shoots next to San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie, left, as forward Jeremy Sochan looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault gives instructions to his players during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe, right, knocks the ball away from San Antonio Spurs forward Zach Collins, left, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (0) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, left, dribbles near San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich gives instructions to his players during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) prepares to shoot as San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie, right, defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, left, drives against San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) looks to pass the ball away from San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) grabs a rebound in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, front, looks to pass the ball away from San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) attempts a shot as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) chases the ball in front of San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) passes the ball away from San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, center left, and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren, center right, jump for the opening tip-off to start the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Zach Collins #23 of the San Antonio Spurs fights for a loose ball in the second half against Isaiah Joe #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 105-93.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket in the second half against Keldon Johnson #0 of the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 105-93.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots a jump shot in the second half against Jeremy Sochan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 105-93.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots a jump shot in the second half over Chris Paul #3 of the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 105-93.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket in the second half and commits a foul on Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 105-93.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder fights for a loose ball in the second half against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 105-93.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Isaiah Joe #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots a three point shot in the second half over Blake Welsey #14 of the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 105-93.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Alex Caruso #9 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket in the second half against Jeremy Sochan #1 of the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 105-93.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket in the second half during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 105-93.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket in the second half against Zach Collins #23 of the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 105-93.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs makes a pass inside during the first half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Blake Wesley #14 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket in the first half against Ousmane Dieng #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks for a pass inside during the first half against Luguentz Dort #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs warms up before a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks to make a pass inside during the first half against Ajay Mitchell #25 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs directs the team during the second half while being defended by Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Head Coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs talks with his team during a timeout during the second half of a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 105-93.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder goes up for a dunk in the second during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 105-93.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 30: Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks to drive to the basket in the second half during a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on October 30, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder defeated the Spurs 105-93.
By Tom Orsborn, Staff writer, via San Antonio Express-News