Spurs’ Game 3 collapse finally exposes their biggest problem

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs lost Game 3 because reality caught up with them. San Antonio’s 123-108 defeat to Oklahoma City on Friday exposed what everyone suspected but refused to state.

This young roster could not advance through the entire postseason without encountering serious problems. Inexperience and injury issues combined to produce the kind of defeat that was always probable.

The Spurs opened with a 15-0 run that energized Frost Bank Center. “That wasn’t sustainable, how we started,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. Oklahoma City outscored San Antonio by 30 over the remaining three quarters.

De’Aaron Fox returned from a sprained right ankle but departed after a third-quarter collision with Lu Dort. He was not effective when he returned in the fourth quarter.

Dylan Harper played through an adductor injury and managed only six points on 2-of-7 shooting. Two of San Antonio’s most important offensive creators were clearly limited by physical problems.

Stephon Castle has been outstanding but has not mastered every playoff adjustment yet. The Spurs made just 13 of 41 three-point attempts on Friday. Their shooting struggles reflected the pressure Oklahoma City applied throughout the game.

Oklahoma City’s bench outscored San Antonio’s reserves 76-23 in Game 3. Jared McCain scored 24 points off the bench after arriving from Philadelphia at the trade deadline. Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace provided solid minutes for the defending champions.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drew contact and finished with 26 points for Oklahoma City. The Thunder won without Jalen Williams and with limited minutes from Ajay Mitchell. Oklahoma City adapted to injury problems because the team has championship experience.

San Antonio had survived earlier playoff rounds without facing a complete opponent. Portland and Minnesota could not match Oklahoma City’s combination of talent and proven depth.

Victor Wembanyama faces test that was always coming

The Spurs now trail the Western Conference finals 2-1 heading into Game 4. “Now we’re going to see what we’re made of,” Wembanyama said. He acknowledged that difficult challenges were always expected during this playoff run.

Oklahoma City showed that having players with championship experience can really make a difference, especially when they also have a lot of skill and a deep roster. San Antonio needs to figure things out fast, or they might be knocked out of the Western Conference finals sooner than they expected.

More NBA news:

• NBA Hall of Famer brutally mocks claims OKC bullied Victor Wembanyama — here’s why
• No one has ever done this to James Harden in a playoff quarter — until the Knicks
• Former NBA ROY kept exposing Jason Kidd for 10 years
• LeBron James reveals the scary reason every team became obsessed with stopping SGA
• LeBron James reveals the one thing he wants most from Lakers for potential Year 24