Key Highlights
- Victor Wembanyama’s 40-foot buzzer-beater set the tone for a Spurs victory over Oklahoma City.
- The Spurs changed their mentality after Game 3 and played with more aggression in Game 4.
- Dylan Harper praised Wembanyama’s ability to step into big moments under pressure.
- Defensively, San Antonio focused on slowing down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The Spurs’ Turnaround and Victor Wembanyama’s Impact
San Antonio Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson saw a different team in Game 4. The Spurs played with a sense of urgency, something that had been missing after their blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3.
A New Mentality
Following the loss, Gregg Popovich addressed his players in the locker room for the first time this season, according to veteran guard De’Aaron Fox. The message was clear: hit back and play with more aggression.
“Every team gets blown out, but just mentality-wise, I think that was one of the worst games we had probably of the season.” —De’Aaron Fox
Victor Wembanyama’s Dominance
Victor Wembanyama led the charge. His 40-foot first-half buzzer-beater not only punctuated a hard-hitting performance but also set the tone for the entire game.
“I was just thinking shoot to score. I wasn’t messing around.” —Victor Wembanyama
Defensive Strategies
The Spurs’ defense was relentless, particularly in slowing down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with 19 points on 6-of-15 shooting. Stephon Castle took the lead in this effort, but the entire team contributed to a strong defensive display.
“We didn’t do nothing unexpected, but the truth is we had never been in this kind of situation before.” —Victor Wembanyama
A Turning Point in the Series
San Antonio’s victory not only evened the series at 2-2 but also shifted the momentum. With six more wins needed to secure a spot in the NBA Finals, every game counts.
The Spurs have shown that they can match the Thunder physically and mentally. The key now is to maintain this level of play for several more games.
