OKC Thunder 3 takeaways from competitive loss to Spurs

The OKC Thunder lost the first game of their four-game homestand to the San Antonio Spurs – 3 takeaways offer perspective.

The OKC Thunder hosted the San Antonio Spurs on the first of their four-game homestand. The Spurs were without offensive leader DeMar DeRozan who sat out with personal issues. However, it did not seem to impact the Spurs who went on to win 112-102.

The Thunder started the game well, moving out to an early lead before the Spurs bench helped get the visitors back into the ball game.

They went into the first break locked up at 26 points apiece. The highlight of the period for the Thunder was a huge Al Horford dunk as he made LaMarcus Aldridge look like he was standing still.

https://twitter.com/okcthunder/status/1349165434277392387?s=20

The second period was again controlled by the Spurs bench who played along with Aldridge. They opened a ten-point lead before ending the half eight points up, 51-43. Isaiah Roby injured his hand in this period allowing Justin Jackson to get some playing time.

The OKC Thunder came back strong in the third period.

Fortunately for the OKC Thunder Roby was able to return during the third period, but was solid without being spectacular. The Thunder came back within two halfway through the quarter before the Spurs finished the quarter a little stronger with a seven-point lead.

The Thunder were able to get back to within four points of the Spurs multiple times in the last but the Spurs were able to manage the game so that the Thunder got no closer, eventually taking the game by the ten-point margin. With all this in mind, let’s look at the three takeaways from the game