The defending NBA champs will be without four starters as the Thunder and Spurs face off for a fifth time this season.
SAN ANTONIO — If the Spurs are looking to gain ground on the Western Conference-leading Thunder, they’ll have a prime opportunity Wednesday night at the Frost Bank Center.
According to the latest injury report, the defending NBA champs have just one starter, Cason Wallace, available to play. Ten total Oklahoma City players are listed as out, most of them dealing with various injuries on the second night of a back-to-back for OKC. That includes reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is dealing with an abdominal strain.
The San Antonio Spurs (33-16) are second in the West entering play Wednesday, sitting six games back of the Thunder (40-11), who have lost three of their last six. San Antonio is looking to collect its fourth win against the Thunder this year, having won three straight in a statement-making December run before OKC snapped the streak with a 119-98 victory on Jan. 13.
GAME REWIND
The Spurs beat the Orlando Magic 112-103 at home in a delayed Sunday evening game. Victor Wembanyama led the team with 25 points and eight rebounds. The Spurs finished the regular season series 2-0 against Orlando.
Keldon Johnson finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Harrison Barnes added seven points. Julian Champagnie scored 11 points. Devin Vassell scored 16 points in a starting role, and Dylan Harper recorded 15 points and five assists. De’Aaron Fox added 14 points.
Stephon Castle did not play due to injury.
“I was asking the vets around me, they’re just like, ‘This is what comes with the game. You get paid for this job,'” said Harper after the win, which came amid a weekend of travel woes amid stormy winter weather in North Carolina. “This is what we’re all here to do, so we’re gonna play hard, and we’re gonna play for the fans, and we’re just gonna bring it together and just pour our energy into it.”
THE UNIFORMS
The Spurs will wear their City Edition jerseys against the Thunder.
TEAMS STATS LEADERS
- POINTS: Victor Wembanyama (24.1), De’Aaron Fox (19.8), Stephon Castle (16.6)
- REBOUNDS: Wembanyama (11.0), Luke Kornet (6.7), Julian Champagnie (6.1)
- ASSISTS: Castle (7.0), Fox (6.2), Dylan Harper (3.5)
- BLOCKS: Wembanyama (2.7), Kornet (1.3), Devin Vassell (0.4)
- POINTS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.8), Chet Holmgren (17.7), Jalen Williams (16.8)
- REBOUNDS: Isaiah Hartenstein (10.0), Holmgren (8.5), Jaylin Williams (4.9)
- ASSISTS: Gilgeous-Alexander (6.4), Jalen Williams (5.6), Ajay Mitchell (3.7)
- BLOCKS: Holmgren (2.0), Gilgeous-Alexander (0.8), Hartenstein (0.7)
INJURY REPORT
The Spurs announced their third-leading scorer, Castle, is questionable for the game against the Thunder with adductor tightness. Dylan Harper is also questionable (ankle soreness), as is Kelly Olynyk (foot soreness).
Jeremy Sochan (quad strain) and Lindy Waters III (hyperextended knee) are both out. David Jones Garcia is also out after undergoing season-ending ankle surgery.
The injury report for the Thunder is lengthy, with players dealing with everything from adductor and abdominal injury to eye abrasions and hamstring strains.
LOCKED ON SPURS PREVIEWS SPURS-THUNDER
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
1. The Thunder are 2-3 in their last five games and have a turnover percentage of 13.4.
2. The Thunder have made more free throws than their opponents in six straight games.
3. The Thunder are 16-2 when leading after the third quarter on the road.
4. The Spurs have turned the ball over more than the opposition in three straight games.
5. The Spurs are 14-2 at home when leading after the third.
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