Short-Handed Thunder Show Grit, But Fall to Spurs Yet Again
SAN ANTONIO - By the time the Thunder tipped off against the Spurs on Wednesday night, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical matchup. With just five players from the standard roster and three two-way guys suiting up, OKC was running light - even by NBA injury report standards.
But what the Thunder lacked in bodies, they made up for in effort and improvisation. And while the 116-106 loss marked the fourth time San Antonio has gotten the better of OKC this season, this one had a different feel.
It was gritty. It was gutsy.
And for a while, it looked like OKC might just steal one.
New Faces, New Moves
With so many regulars sidelined, the Thunder leaned into experimentation. Cason Wallace, typically more of a straight-line driver or catch-and-shoot guy, pulled out a stepback mid-range jumper.
Jaylin Williams, known more for his hustle than his finesse, floated a runner through the lane. And Brooks Barnhizer - all 6-foot-5 of him - took on the unenviable task of trying to body up 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama in the paint.
It was a night of firsts, born out of necessity. But it nearly turned into one of OKC’s most impressive wins of the year.
The Thunder stayed within striking distance all night and were down just six after Wallace converted a layup with 2:05 to play. But the Spurs held firm, closing things out with composure to hand OKC another tough loss in the season series.
Kenrich, Jaylin, and Wiggins Carry the Load
Kenrich Williams was everywhere - scoring, rebounding, leading. He finished with 25 points and nine boards, setting the tone for a Thunder team that refused to fold despite the circumstances. Jaylin Williams added a double-double of his own with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Aaron Wiggins chipped in 20 points and six assists.
Wiggins, in particular, was a constant problem for San Antonio’s defense. The Spurs knew he’d be hunting his shot - they had to.
With so many key scorers out, Wiggins had the green light. And yet, he still found ways to keep defenders guessing.
Midway through the second quarter, with the shot clock winding down, Wiggins pulled out a veteran move. He got Stephon Castle, one of the league’s most promising young defenders, to bite on a pump fake.
One sidestep later, Wiggins calmly drilled a three. It was a savvy moment in a game full of them for the Thunder wing, who shot 7-for-14 from the field.
Barnhizer Bets on Himself
When Luke Kornet left Brooks Barnhizer open in the corner late in the third, he was playing the odds. Coming into the night, Barnhizer had hit just one of his six three-point attempts on the season. But the rookie didn’t hesitate.
He rose up and knocked it down.
Barnhizer, a second-round pick who’s made a habit of beating the odds since his days at Lafayette Jefferson High in Indiana, showed why OKC took a chance on him. He finished with 14 points, five assists, and three rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench - and went 4-for-9 from deep.
The numbers don’t tell the whole story, though. Barnhizer’s game is built on effort and instinct.
He crashes the glass, makes the extra pass, and doesn’t shy away from big moments. If he can continue to develop his outside shot, the Thunder may have found yet another diamond in the rough.
Help on the Horizon
The Thunder are hoping reinforcements arrive soon. Wednesday’s game was a testament to the team’s depth and resilience, but it also underscored how thin the margin for error becomes without key pieces.
Alex Caruso sat out for injury management, but there’s optimism he’ll be back for Saturday’s home game against Houston. Several other players could return as well, thanks to a two-day break between games.
OKC also finalized a trade on Wednesday, acquiring rookie guard Jared McCain from Philadelphia in exchange for Houston’s 2026 first-round pick and three second-rounders. While McCain hasn’t made his debut yet, that moment is coming - and it could be soon.
But the biggest absence remains Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder announced Wednesday that their All-NBA guard will be sidelined through the All-Star break with an abdominal strain suffered during Tuesday’s win over Orlando. That’s a major blow, but it also gives OKC a chance to get healthy and regroup before the stretch run.
Injury Report: Who Was Out
The Thunder were without a full starting lineup - and then some. Missing from action:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdominal strain)
- Jalen Williams (right hamstring strain)
- Chet Holmgren (low back spasms)
- Lu Dort (right patellofemoral joint inflammation)
- Alex Caruso (right adductor injury management)
- Isaiah Hartenstein (right eye corneal abrasion)
- Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain)
- Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery)
- Nikola Topić (surgical recovery)
- Ousmane Dieng (not with team)
San Antonio was missing a few names of its own, including Dylan Harper, Kelly Olynyk, Jeremy Sochan, and Lindy Waters III.
What’s Next
The Thunder return home to face the Houston Rockets on Saturday afternoon. With a few days to rest and possibly welcome back some key contributors, OKC will look to bounce back and keep pace in the Western Conference standings.
But if Wednesday night proved anything, it’s that even when the roster is paper-thin, this Thunder team still has plenty of fight.