SAN ANTONIO (AP) – Keldon Johnson scored 22 points, Harrison Barnes added 20 and the San Antonio Spurs overcame Victor Wembanyama’s absence to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 110-104 on Tuesday for their first win in the NBA Cup.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points and Jalen Williams added 27 for Oklahoma City.
The Thunder closed the game with a 27-12 run but the score was not successful in the final minute.
Rookie Stephon Castle, who had 10 points and eight assists, blocked a Gilgeous-Alexander shot with 22 seconds left and the Spurs leading 110-104.
San Antonio’s Chris Paul added 14 points and 11 assists, hitting a 3-pointer just as the possession clock expired to give the Spurs a 107-98 lead with 1:27 left.
Wembanyama and Devin Vassell missed their second consecutive game with leg injuries. Wembanyama is recovering from a bruised knee and Vassell has pain in his left knee.
Oklahoma City was without Chet Holmgren, who is expected to be out two months with a broken hip.
San Antonio had lost their first five games in the NBA Cup.
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This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the help of a generational artificial intelligence engine.
2024-11-20 05:58:00
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Hello, and welcome to our exclusive interview covering the San Antonio Spurs’ victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup. I’m thrilled to have Mr. Keldon Johnson and Mr. Harrison Barnes, both key players in the game, with us today.
Firstly, congratulations on your team’s first win in the NBA Cup! Keldon, could you please provide us with your insights on how the team managed to stay focused despite the absence of critical players like Wembanyama and Vassell due to injuries?
Keldon Johnson: Thank you very much. You know, it wasn’t easy, and we really had to step up our game. However, we had a great team spirit, and everyone understood their roles and responsibilities. We just had to stay positive and keep pushing ourselves. It wasn’t just about filling their shoes; it was about filling the gaps and working together to achieve a common goal. I think we did a great job of that, especially in the final minutes when things got tough.
Moving on to you, Mr. Barnes. Your performance was impressive as always. Could you tell us about your strategy for taking the lead in this game and keeping the momentum going against a formidable opponent like the Thunder?
Harrison Barnes: Thank you for your kind words. We knew that this was going to be a tough game against a talented opponent, so we had to play smart and execute our game plan effectively. We focused on taking good shots, moving the ball well, and playing solid defense. We knew that we had to control the tempo of the game and make it difficult for the Thunder to score. Luckily, everything fell into place, and we were able to get the win.
That’s a great point. Speaking of defense, Mr. Castle’s clutch block at the end of the game was essential to securing the win. Can you share your thoughts on his contribution to the team’s success?
Keldon Johnson: Stephon Castle is a rookie with immense potential, and he proved that today. His defense and ability to read the game were crucial in those final moments. He hasn’t played much this season, but his contribution was invaluable. It’s always good to see young talent like him step up in big
