Thunder Player Grades: Reserves inspired effort vaults OKC into 5th

In a game which meant much more than the ‘W’ the OKC Thunder captured a victory over the San Antonio Spurs vaulting them in the fifth seed.

Let’s be real – this game had far more importance than the normal win – loss story as the OKC Thunder and Spurs are embroiled in a dog fight just to make the postseason.

In fairness, the two squads are dealing with completely different issues. The Spurs have missed their franchise star for all but nine games this season. Stop for a second and consider where the OKC Thunder would be if Russell Westbrook had played just nine games this year.

Alternatively, the OKC Thunder have struggled to find chemistry fitting in two stars used to being ‘the man’. Just as things started to come together the defensive stalwart of the Thunder (Andre Roberson) was lost for the season.

So, the fact this game came down to youth and reserves maybe speaks to the trials and tribulations of the two squads. As the Thunder took the game in what was a much closer match then the final score indicates they also vault up the ladder into fifth.

By the end of the first half the OKC Thunder held a 52-43 edge and this was due almost entirely to a strong defensive effort which produced an uncharacteristic 10 turnovers by the Spurs and because of OKC’s reserves.

The other factor was the Thunder were producing scoring off second chance points which they held the advantage in 15 to 3 in the first half.

In the second half tragedy struck early as Steven Adams tweaked his ankle heading straight to the locker room, not to return.  But, like the narrative of this evening the OKC Thunder role players stepped up into the spotlight delivering arguably their best, if not most important results of the season.

With that, let’s dive into the individual performances…