Chet Holmgren leads OKC Thunder past Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

More than ever, thunder has become a master of illusions.

Look at a pass window and watch it disappear like a puff of smoke. Take a thrust at a wide open rim and watch as it is swallowed whole. Throw what looks like a harmless bounce pass and watch it bounce into OKC's possession.

Their property belongs to them. This team will never buy into the idea of giving away teams – in part because it's a fickle identity and this team would certainly argue that it has more to offer – but it's done it well enough that it's the The game has become a name.

They forced 22 turnovers by the end of Wednesday night's 105-93 win over the Spurs. Eighteen of these were thefts. Everyone got a piece.

Jalen Williams had a few interceptions coupled with some sneak attacks from Spurs center Victor Wembanyama. Chet Holmgren praised the atmosphere. Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso were mirror images of each other.

OKC barely got to the free throw line. It only took four more shots than in San Antonio. But with all the possessions the Thunder stole from the Spurs, convincing San Antonio they could play safely, they kept their distance despite obvious absences in the box.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's typical contributions were missing on Wednesday. Although SGA appears to be a relatively complete player after an MVP season a year ago, it is having some growing pains. Together with the league, he will expand his range and try to develop from mid-range champion to absolute cheat code. It may have looked as smooth as the rest of his game, but Wednesday was as good an indicator as any: It will take time.

He went just 7 for 20 from the field and made two of his 10 3-point attempts for 18 points. These ten attempts were the fourth most in any game of his career. Gilgeous-Alexander never quite got into the rhythm. After as strong a first half as OKC has had all season – it hit 13 of its 26 three-pointers in the first half – its offensive processing wasn't as clean in the final 24 minutes.

It's rare for SGA to fall even a foot below its average. It's rare to see OKC's offense lose character through shooting as often as it did earlier this season.

Neither played a role in four games. In a league fixated on whether the Dow Jones says 3s are up, defense still reigns supreme. The early returns show that the Thunder have intercepted and developed the impression of a historic defensive group.

“For us, disruptions in a broader sense would be a little more than just the result of turnovers,” said coach Mark Daigneault. “We want to be a disruptive defense. We want to be difficult to play against.”

Maybe the Thunder won't do that have Teams turn over more than 20 times in every game to win. He could put pressure on the ball, stick his head in the lane and stretch his limbs just to watch passes whiz past him. It could unleash a force of outsiders seemingly returning to their rhythm. It could expose one of the league's best isolation shooters and give him a chance to do the things he does best.

Or it could be what it's dancing about. The Thunder turned Ocean's 11 into 15. In four games, and in fact most of last year, the Thunder are the best players.

This is how they win.

Move over Dominic Terreto. There's another series in the foreground, but also kind of in the background, that stretches between Oklahoma City and San Antonio. The Wembanyama vs. Holmgren battle is pushed to the surface by the media and torn down by the bony fingers of the players.

Not unlike the “Fast and the Furious” series, there will also be numerous episodes, some of which are certainly unnecessary and exaggerated. It's about exploring space and alien creatures, which the Terreto crew feels like they're just a short movie away from. And in some episodes, such as Wednesday, the plot could thicken.

Holmgren's earliest sequence hinted at the evening's prospects.

Just seconds into Wednesday's game, a lob was thrown our way. Holmgren disrupted it and threw it back into the paint. After recovering, Spurs striker Jeremy Sochan left the launch pad with the intention of dragging Holmgren down with him. Holmgren, who miraculously returned to the game, parried the shot with both hands.

Holmgren didn't want it. Not then or all night.

He finished the game with 19 points, making 7 of his 10 shots and all three of his 3-pointers – a turning point from his 0-10 start to the season from beyond the arc.

On the other hand, Wembanyama was limited to just five shots. He only managed one and finished with six points.

The Frenchman's team context, even after adding two stabilizers in Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes, is not that of Holmgren. The difference between the conversations a year ago? Holmgren was an even bigger reason for OKC's start than he was as a rookie.

Holmgren has been one of the best big men in the NBA in just a few games. Wembanyama, talented as anyone, still navigates life as a first option and anchor.

However, no one wants to call the other person by name. Wembanyama just wants to improve his situation to fulfill his prophecy. Holmgren just wants to enjoy the situation he helped create.

“I enjoy every single day, waking up and playing basketball while taking care of my family,” Holmgren said when asked what he enjoys about the match. “This is what I've always wanted to do. This is what I always want to do as long as I am able. It doesn’t change anything from game to game, but no matter what happens, it will always be Thunder against our opponent.”

Thunder at Trail Blazers

TIP: Friday, 9 p.m. at Moda Center in Portland (FanDuel Sports Network)

Chet Holmgren leads OKC Thunder past Victor Wembanyama, Spurs

Thunder at Trail Blazers

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