Tagbilaran City, Bohol – French phenom Victor Wembanyama set the tone early, as the San Antonio Spurs stifled the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder 103-82 in Game 4 of their best-of-seven Western Conference Finals series on Sunday night (Monday morning, Philippine time) at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The reigning Defensive Player of the Year finished with 33 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks for the Spurs, who tied the series at 2 games apiece. Wembanyama also hit a buzzer-beating halfcourt shot to end the first half to give the spurs a 50-38 lead at the turn.
Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle each had 13 points, while applying relentless defensive pressure on the backcourt. Castle, who committed 20 turnovers in the first two games of the series, only turned the ball over once in Game 4. DeAaron Fox had a lot to do with it, as he took over primary ballhandling duties, while adding 12 markers, 10 boards, 5 dimes, 1 steal and 1 block. He also didn’t commit any turnover. All Spurs starters each had at least 1 block and apart from Champagnie, also had at least 1 steal.
Reigning back-to-back league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander topscored for the Thunder, but only had 19 points on 6-for-15 field goal shooting, to go along with 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. He also shot 7-for-7 from the charity stripe.
The Spurs defense limited Oklahoma City to 33% field goal shooting, including 6-for-33 from deep. The Thunder were held to just 38 points in the first half, tied for its second production in a half in the past 4 years.
Game 4 is scheduled on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning, Philippine time) at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, home of the Thunder.
How They Scored: 28-19; 50-38; 78-60; 103-82
Spurs 103 – Wembanyama 33, Castle 13, Vassell 13, Fox 12, Harper 7, Johnson 6, Kornet 6, Barnes 5, Olynyk 3, Mclaughlin 3, Champagnie 2
Thunder 82 – Gilgeous-Alexander 19, Hartenstein 12, Joe 11, Holmgren 10, K. Williams 10, Wallace 5, Wiggins 4, McCain 4, Jay. Williams 3, Dort 2, Topic 2
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