Grades: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – Game #15
Keldon Johnson came up big for the Spurs (Photo via Twitter)
Call it the most improbable win of the season for the San Antonio Spurs. Going up against the Western Conference leading Oklahoma City Thunder, the good guys were without their top three leading scorers: Victor Wembanyama (knee bruise), Devin Vassell (knee issue) and Jeremy Sochan (thumb surgery). Despite being short-handed, the Spurs found a way to beat the Thunder by a final count of 110-104.
In the first half, San Antonio was just barely able to hang around — thanks mostly to Keldon Johnson’s handiwork. However, the Spurs went on an 18-0 run to capture a commanding lead in the third quarter. The Thunder tried to rally in the fourth quarter but the Spurs were able to hit enough big shots to prevail.
Stats: Spurs vs. Thunder
Spurs vs. Thunder – Final Grades
Chris Paul
It was simply a really fine outing for Paul. His playmaking was excellent against a very good defensive team. OKC is especially good at making life difficult for perimeter players and Paul found ways to thrive. He passed the ball well and was very efficient shooting the ball despite the heavy pressure. Paul also got his hands dirty on the defensive end. He appeared to hurt his left thumb in the second half but he was able to finish off the game. Let’s hope he’s healthy going forward.
Grade: A-
Harrison Barnes
Barnes has mostly been a fifth option this season — and he has seemingly accepted that role. However, with so much firepower on the sidelines tonight, Barnes took on an expanded role and did great. He shot well from three-point range on quick release jumpers. He drove the ball with purpose and ended up shooting eight free throws. Barnes was also the only starter to finish without a turnover. Defensively, he was locked in, he moved his feet well and he helped on the board. This level of involvement shouldn’t only happen when the Spurs desperately need Barnes — he’s too good to be stuck as the fifth option.
Grade: A
Stephon Castle
The bad: Castle was 1-for-7 from downtown and didn’t do much better within the arc. He turned the ball over seven times, including a frustrating number of miscues in the fourth quarter. As those numbers suggest, his decision-making was highly questionable much of the night. The good: While his stats look ugly, Castle actually had a lot of bright spots. His court vision was expansive and he had a handful of fantastic passes. Some of his passes didn’t reach the intended destination but a rookie even attempting some of those passes was impressive. Defensively, he gave great effort out on the perimeter and had an important block late in the fourth. Overall: The rookie was able to learn a lot tonight. Castle struggled at times but he kept battling, kept battling and came out of this game a better player.
Grade: C+
Julian Champagnie
Champagnie’s energy on defense was contagious. He was active on that end and wasn’t shy about trying to interrupt the proceedings. He has clearly taken steps forward as a defender this season. Offensively, Champagnie was decent. He didn’t shoot it the straightest and he turned it over three times but he exhibited some craft when it came to driving. I also liked that he shot whenever he was given a sliver of daylight.
Grade: B
Zach Collins
Collins did a lot better tonight filling in for Wembanyama. His shot-selection was much improved; he wasn’t forcing difficult three-pointers or trying to do too much with the rock. Collins passed the ball well and only had one turnover and one foul in 26 minutes. Defensively, he survived against smaller players by rotating quickly and recovering to shooters. On both sides of the court, Collins did well to use his size to his advantage.
Grade: B+
Keldon Johnson
In the first half, the Spurs were struggling to hang around. Enter Johnson, who almost single-handedly successfully kept San Antonio afloat. In the opening two quarters, he had a game-high 17 points and was 5-for-6 from three-point range. His enthusiasm, fearlessness and shotmaking was inspiring to watch. Sure, Johnson was only 1-for-8 from the field in the second half — but the Spurs wouldn’t have even been in the game without his first half heroics.
Grade: A-
Charles Bassey
This has to be one of Bassey’s best games of his career. With the Thunder rocking a small lineup, Bassey came into the game and changed things for the better. On defense, he was blocking shots, clogging the lane and pulling down contested boards. Offensively, OKC had difficulties handling Bassey’s size and strength. He showed off quality touch and an impressive amount of wherewithal for a third string center. Bassey’s activity level when he was on the court is one of the main reasons why the Spurs won.
Grade: A
Tre Jones
Jones didn’t help the cause in many tangible ways. He hit a three-pointer, he helped with ball-handling duties and he limited his mistakes defensively — but that was about it. Jones hasn’t looked right since returning from the ankle injury … hopefully he’ll bounce back soon.
Grade: C
Malaki Branham
Branham’s story is similar to the story written by Jones. He didn’t do a whole lot during his minutes on the court. Like Jones, Branham’s only made shot was a three-pointer. But Branham’s ball-handling and decision-making weren’t as clean and his defense was also worse.
Grade: C-
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Mamukelashvili only got five minutes. On this night, the coaching staff picked right by using Collins and Bassey as the bigs.
Grade: B-
Mitch Johnson
Johnson continues to impress. He has done a great job of modernizing San Antonio’s attack and making them more of a three-point shooting squad. I loved how much trust he showed in Castle. That’s the type of coaching that will pay dividends down the road. Giving Bassey extended minutes was also a great decision. This was, without question, Johnson’s best coaching since his move to the head chair.
Grade: A