Thunder Stumble Again as Spurs Sweep Christmas Showdown
Christmas Day brought an unsettling reality for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team officially has a Spurs problem, and the evidence was clear in their latest matchup. With this loss, the Thunder have now dropped five games this season—three of which have come at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs. Each time Oklahoma City has faced San Antonio, they’ve appeared disoriented and sluggish, while the Spurs have played with a sense of freedom and confidence that has been striking.
Offensive Struggles and Defensive Dilemmas
On Christmas, the Thunder had their chances, generating a multitude of open looks. Unfortunately, they squandered these opportunities, particularly from beyond the arc. The team’s shooting woes were glaringly evident as they converted just 11 of their 44 attempts from three-point range. This poor shooting performance was compounded by a defensive effort that fell far short of the standards Oklahoma City has set for itself.
Despite having a reputation for solid defense, the Thunder struggled to contain the Spurs’ guards, who dominated the game. Victor Wembanyama once again showcased his talents, but it was San Antonio’s backcourt that truly shined. The Thunder pride themselves on elite perimeter defense, yet on this occasion, their guards failed to make their presence felt. The trend of lackluster defensive efforts has been alarming, particularly during losses, and the Thunder need to address this issue before it spirals further out of control.
Guarding Concerns Amplified
Starting with their first loss against San Antonio, the Thunder have seen opposing guards thrive in ways that seem almost unthinkable. Devin Vassell, De’Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle all eclipsed the 20-point mark in that game—a feat that highlighted a concerning trend. Anthony Edwards of Minnesota followed suit with 26 points in a subsequent loss, while Bones Hyland significantly increased his scoring output off the bench.
The back-to-back defeats against San Antonio only reinforced this trend, with Castle lighting it up for 24 points on December 23. On Christmas Day, Fox was the standout player, pouring in 29 points on an efficient 12-of-19 shooting. The Thunder’s guards, known for their defensive prowess, must begin to rise to the occasion.
Disheartening Shooting and Defensive Lapses
Adding to the Thunder’s troubles, the shooting performance from their defensive stalwarts was equally disheartening. Cason Wallace, Alex Caruso, and Lu Dort combined for a mere 5-of-23 from three-point range, and most of those were uncontested looks. The frustration of missing open shots while simultaneously yielding easy baskets on the other end was palpable.
Moreover, the Thunder’s inability to defend the pick-and-roll effectively has become a glaring weakness. As they look ahead, Oklahoma City must confront the reality of their struggles against San Antonio. While shooting slumps are part of the game, consistent defensive lapses are not acceptable if they hope to turn their season around. The path forward hinges on a renewed commitment to defensive integrity, particularly in perimeter coverage.
