Gilgeous-Alexander scores 30 as Thunder even series in Game 2
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Thunder would favor to not make a behavior out of dropping the opener of a playoff series, however they’ve developed a confidence in that state of affairs, if not a consolation stage.
As they did twice throughout final season’s title run, the Thunder responded with a Game 2 victory to even the series earlier than heading on the highway, pulling out a 122-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals Wednesday evening.
“This late in the season, there’s nothing special that you can do,” mentioned two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderwho led Oklahoma City with 30 factors and 9 assists whereas committing just one turnover. (*2*)
Oklahoma City’s id is a poised, clever, bodily staff that wreaks havoc defensively and wears down opponents with its depth.
“There’s no panic,” mentioned ahead Alex Carusowho scored 17 factors, one among 4 Thunder reserves to attain in double figures.
Oklahoma City had a 57-25 benefit on bench factors. That matched the Thunder’s most bench factors in a playoff recreation because the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008. The Thunder additionally had 57 bench factors in their Game 2 win over the Denver Nuggets in final season’s West semifinals, when Oklahoma City misplaced the series opener.
The Thunder’s bench had 11 of the staff’s 14 steals as Oklahoma City transformed 21 turnovers into 27 factors. It was the fifth outing of 9 playoff wins this season that the Thunder scored at the very least 27 factors off turnovers. The solely groups to do this extra usually throughout a postseason run have been the Thunder final season (eight) and the 2007 Golden State Warriors (seven).
Oklahoma City was compelled to depend on its bench greater than deliberate as a result of star wing Jalen Williams exited after the primary quarter attributable to tightness in his left hamstring, a difficulty that jeopardizes his availability going ahead in the series.
But beginning middle Isaiah Hartenstein performed a considerably greater position after logging solely 12 minutes in the Game 1 loss, when Spurs huge man Victor Wembanyama feasted with 41 factors and 24 rebounds.
Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault mentioned he regretted not enjoying Hartenstein extra in the opener, when his minutes have been primarily matched up with San Antonio backup middle Luke Kornet. Hartenstein performed 27 minutes in Game 2, together with all however 20 seconds in the fourth quarter, and completed with 10 factors, 13 rebounds (eight offensive) and three assists whereas ceaselessly releasing teammates for open pictures together with his screening.
Hartenstein’s protection was additionally key in stopping Wembanyama, who had 21 factors and 17 rebounds, from dominating once more. According to ESPN monitoring, Hartenstein was the ultimate defender on Wembanyama on 47 performs in Game 2, in contrast with solely three performs in the series opener, when Oklahoma City usually defended the 7-foot-4 phenom with wings. Wembanyama’s paint scoring dropped from 26 factors in the series opener to 10 in Game 2.
“That’s kind of my game, just being physical,” Hartenstein mentioned. “I thought last game they were more physical than us, and so I just wanted to establish that earlier. [Wembanyama is] a great player. He’s going to get to certain things, but you just have to make it as hard as possible.”
The Thunder have been additionally rather more environment friendly offensively in Game 2, beginning with Gilgeous-Alexander. He struggled in Game 1, ending with 24 factors on 7-of-23 capturing, and acknowledged that the presence of Wembanyama, the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, as a rim protector sapped his aggressiveness at occasions. Gilgeous-Alexander went 12-of-24 from the ground Wednesday evening, when all of his buckets have been contained in the 3-point arc.
“I guess we just got a little bit more comfortable with that type of defense,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “Obviously it’s very unique and different from literally every other defense in the league, so it takes some games. We’re still going to have to keep getting better throughout this series if we want a chance to win a series. They’re a good team, a good defensive team — really good. They check all the boxes. We’re going to have to communicate better. Tonight wasn’t good enough to win the series, and we know that.”