Well, that was unexpected. Even the most optimistic of Spurs fans couldn't have predicted how easily their team was going to beat the Thunder in Game 1 of their series. San Antonio tied a franchise playoffs record for most points scored in a quarter with 43 in the first period and led by as many as 43 points en route to a 124-92 win. Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge were unstoppable, while both Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook had poor showings, combining for just 30 points
Thunder vs. Spurs 2016 results: San Antonio can’t miss in 124-92 Game 1 blowout
The Spurs rode a dominant first quarter to an easy win in Game 1 of their series against the Thunder.
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Leonard and Aldridge combined for 27 points in the first quarter, outscoring the entire Thunder team by seven points. Danny Green, who's had a down year as a shooter, connected on his first two three-point attempts. Russell Westbrook, meanwhile, missed all of his five field goals and Oklahoma City could only get six points out of their seven offensive rebounds. Everything worked out perfectly for San Antonio and nothing went right for the Thunder.
A 23-point lead after one quarter is obviously huge, but with three periods to go and going against an offense as explosive as the Thunder's, it wasn't safe. A quick run in the second frame could have reduced the deficit to a more manageable number. Alas, things continued to go exactly as they did to start the game. The Spurs continued to make shots while the now notoriously frustrated Oklahoma City players couldn't buy a bucket, especially from beyond the arc.
At the half the Spurs led by 33 and the game was then essentially over. The Thunder could never string together enough buckets and stops to make it a game. Everything went in for San Antonio, including circus shots that demoralized their opponent.
The last two quarters were essentially garbage time. The two coaches emptied their benches, looking to avoid pointless injuries.
For the Spurs, this game serves as a statement to the Thunder and the other contenders that they are ready for battle and have another gear reserved for the playoffs. It still only puts them up 1-0 for the series, however, so they can’t let it affect how they prepare for the next one.
For the Thunder, this is a wake-up call. Be ready from the opening tip next time or be embarrassed in front of a national audience. They have enough experience with adversity in the playoffs to not let this change how they approach the next matchup, so it will be interesting to see how they react from this.
3 things we learned from the Spurs’ blowout win
Don’t expect the other games to be as lopsided as this one
It was fun to watch the Spurs operate at the their highest level and thoroughly crush a quality opponent, but this is clearly an outlier. Everything went their way from the start while the Thunder coughed up the ball and played undisciplined defense. The Spurs are probably the better team at this point, but there’s no way they are this much better.
Oklahoma City will be ready next time. Durant and Westbrook will surely be sharper, and the Spurs’ shooters will miss some open looks. We will have closer games in this series.
At least for one game, LaMarcus Aldridge was the best player on the floor
Kevin Durant is a former MVP and scoring champion. Russell Westbrook led all players in triple-doubles and is one of the most explosive players in the league. Kawhi Leonard is a Finals MVP and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Yet the best player on the floor on Saturday was LaMarcus Aldridge.
Aldridge had a tough time adjusting to the Spurs' system early in the season, so his numbers dipped compared to his career averages. He found his bearings as time passed, however, and is now as important to the Spurs' success as he was to the Trail Blazers' in the past. His 38 points are a reminder that there are four elite players in this series.
Durant and Westbrook need to come out angry in Game 2
The Thunder’s superstar duo was just mediocre in Game 1, combining for just 30 points on 34 shots. That’s obviously not enough to power the Thunder to the Western Conference Finals, and it’s not the type of excellent play everyone has come to expect from them. They need to do much better in the next matchup.
The Spurs have the defenders to make life hell for them, but they simply have to play through any temporary struggles because their team can’t win without them being dominant on offense. They need to remember how the blowout made them feel and come out firing next time around, or the Thunder’s season will be over soon.
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Kawhi Leonard frustrated the heck out of Lance Stephenson in the first round
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