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FILE – Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the second half of an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center on March 08, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns beat the Thunder 132-101. Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP
Jalen Williams had 21 points and 10 assists and Josh Giddey added 15 points and 11 rebounds as the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 102-90 on Sunday to stay in the hunt for a spot in the postseason.
The Thunder swept the road back-to-back that started on Friday night with a win in New Orleans. They are playing without leading scorer Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is nursing an abdominal injury.
Oklahoma City led by 17 points in the second period, by five at the half and, after the Spurs tied the score early in the third quarter, by seven going into the fourth quarter. The Thunder were never seriously challenged, winning five times in six games.
Ousmane Dieng scored 17 points for Oklahoma City, Luguentz Dort scored 12 and Dario Saric added 10.
Five players reached double figures and the Thunder forced 19 turnovers in tonight’s 102-90 win over the Spurs.
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— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) March 13, 2023
Zach Collins led San Antonio with 23 points and 11 rebounds while Devonte’ Graham had 20 points, Keita Bates-Diop scored 12 and Doug McDermott had 11. The Spurs, fresh off a win over top-seeded Denver on Friday, played without a starter. Keldon Johnson (left foot soreness), Jeremy Sochan (right knee soreness) and Tre Jones (non-COVID soreness).
On Sunday, Oklahoma City erased an early five-point deficit to lead by 10 after Dieng’s layup with 20.2 seconds left in the first quarter.
Aaron Wiggins’ 3-pointer at the 9:12 mark of the second quarter capped a 14-point run for the Thunder and gave them a 36-19 advantage, their largest of the half. After some back-and-forth play, Oklahoma City’s Lindy Waters III had a 3-pointer and three free throws in a span of 25 seconds to give the Thunder a 15-point lead.
But the Spurs answered, scoring 20 of the quarter final 30 points to claw at 52-47 at the break.
Collins led all scorers with 13 points at the break, with Dieng pacing the Thunder with 11. San Antonio held the Thunder to 33.3 percent shooting at the half, but also committed 11 turnovers before halftime.
The Spurs tied the game at 59-59 on Collins’ step-back 3-pointer with 9:12 to play in the third period. Oklahoma City then scored the next 10 points to jump back in front.
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