The Spurs vs. Thunder Western Conference Finals got off to the best possible start. Game 1 was the most electric game of the entire postseason. We knew coming in that this series was going to deliver some fireworks. Those fireworks came right away.
As soon as the jump ball was tossed, this game felt more like a game 6 than a game 1.
The Spurs got out to an early lead. Then Alex Caruso hit multiple big 3s to get the Thunder’s offense going. Both teams went back and forth for 48 minutes, neither team getting a better than 10-point lead. Approaching the end of regulation, Mark Daigneault drew up a beautiful play leading to a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a game-tying layup. In overtime, the Spurs were trailing by three with 30 seconds to go. That’s when Wembanyama decided to pull a three from a spot that looks very similar to a shot from 10 years ago (“Curry way downtown . . . Bang! Bang! Oh what a shot by Curry!”), to tie the game, forcing double overtime in the playoffs for the first time since the 2\Western Conference Finals. In double overtime, the Spurs prevailed, outscoring the Thunder 14 – 7.
So what can we expect for the rest of the series?
This series is going to be a dog fight, going at least six games. It could come down to a mere possession. This is the first real challenge the defending champion Thunder have faced so far this postseason, sweeping their way through the first two rounds. On the other hand, the Spurs have already been battle-tested against the Timberwolves in the semi-finals having played in numerous close games.
The biggest problem for the Thunder is having to deal with that alien who’s always lurking in the paint. With Wemby on the floor, they shot a horrendous 16-50 (32%) from the field. Without him, they shot an amazing 10-16 (63%). The Thunder have no problem getting to the net; it’s when they get there that they can’t get a shot off. The Thunder were stuck to shooting jumpers from beyond the arc and contested shots in the midrange. If the Thunder are going to win this series, they need to find a way to get Wembanyama out of the paint more often than they did in game one. Whether that’s taking advantage of the three seconds in the key rule, forcing a switch so he has to guard a shooter, trying to get him in foul trouble, making him exert himself on the offensive end, they have to do something. If they’re able to do that, it’ll help Shai Gilgeous-Alexander find his stride, which they definitely need if they want any chance of winning this series.
On the other hand, the Spurs played an amazing game considering their 2x All-Star De’Aaron Fox was sidelined with an injury. The slash brothers stepped up big time; the rookie Dylan Harper contributed 24 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 7 steals, and Stephon Castle added 17 points and 11 assists of his own. The one thing they need to shore up is how long they’re spending with the basketball in their hands. In the biggest moments in the clutch, they spent way too much time dribbling the ball, forcing their team to make multiple big shots with a low shot clock.
Additionally, for as dominant as Wemby was, there were still way too many times the Thunder defense were able to push him off his spot. Causing the whole Spurs offense to become out of sync, with Alex Caruso being the main reason why. Mitch Johson has to find a way to get Wemby in open space more often. That way when he does get pushed around, there won’t be three blue jerseys waiting for him, disrupting the entire offense.
If you want to read more about how Wembanyama has er check out this blog: The Victor Wembanyama Show is Here
This Conference Finals is going to be one for the history books. I can’t wait to see how this series develops game by game.
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