Three standout performances from the Spurs’ loss to the Thunder
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
DeMar, LaMarcus and Lonnie shine bright at the AT&T Center
The Spurs blew a 14-point lead and ultimately added another loss to their record, but there were a plethora of positive sequences from the loss to the Thunder. San Antonio’s All-Stars stepped up when the team needed scoring, and a promising prospect put forth an electrifying performance.
For all the flack DeMar DeRozan catches for his shot selection, he has been stunningly efficient this season. His 30 points on 52% from the floor against Oklahoma City was somehow both below his season average (52.3%) and his worst field goal percentage in the last six games. The eleven-year pro also extended his range, knocking down his first triple in nearly a month.
DeMar DeRozan for three! pic.twitter.com/2AnzJXLoIB
— Joe Garcia (@twoshotspodcast) January 3, 2020
As for LaMarcus Aldridge, the sweet-shooting big man continued to rip the cord from beyond the arc, going a perfect 4-for-4 from long distance on Thursday night. Although the five-time All-NBA forward has made a living mastering the art of the mid-range jumper, he leads the NBA in three-point percentage (70% on 20 3PA) since December 23rd.
no hesitation @aldridge_12 | #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/1eQ7B3ClyZ
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 3, 2020
Lastly, Spurs fans got a glimpse into the bright future of San Antonio’s most flashy, hectic, and stimulating young player. Lonnie Walker IV dropped 16 points and a career-best 7 rebounds in just 21 minutes of action.
Oh, and he assisted on Jakob Poeltl’s emphatic posterization of Darius Bazley and Nerlens Noel.
POELTL JAM pic.twitter.com/21OOuiV5NJ
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 3, 2020
Bonus Lonnie Highlight: Insane Transition Finish at the Rim
defense 2️⃣ offense#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/2y7CYJrnqa
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) January 3, 2020
The Spurs’ two best players and up-and-coming youngster played hard last night, which is usually a good recipe for success, but unfortunately the rest of team failed to show up for the second half against a team that has made a living rallying from behind this season. The Spurs will need everyone on board each and every night going forward if they want to navigate the toughest January schedule in the league and ensuing Rodeo Road Trip and come out no worse for ware.
Three standout performances from the Spurs’ loss to the Thunder
Three standout performances from the Spurs’ loss to the Thunder