The Oklahoma City Thunder were without two of their top three creators as Jalen Williams (left hamstring soreness) and Ajay Mitchell (right calf strain) sidelined by injuries.
The result was the worst offensive performance from the team in years, dating back to Dec. 2, 2021, when the then-rebuilding Thunder were held to 79 points in a record-setting 73-point loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who dropped a team-high 19 points, admitted missing Mitchell and Williams played a primary role in the loss.
“Two of our handlers, our creators are out, but guys are good off the ball, and we played a fair amount of games this year with no handlers,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
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“So, we’re a little bit used to that. But I mean, regardless, I think it’s just a snowball effect. I think when you come out with the right energy, things like that work out and the offense has flow. And I don’t think we came out with the right energy today,” he added.
The Thunder shot just 33% from the field and a dismal 18% from beyond the arc as the Spurs held Oklahoma City without a 20-point scorer.
The series shifts back to Oklahoma City with Game 5 between the Spurs and Thunder set for an 8:30 p.m. ET tip on Tuesday, May 26.
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