NBA: Gregg Popovich moves to No. 2 in wins as Spurs top Thunder
FILE–Head coach Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs. Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images/AFP
Keldon Johnson 22 points to lead the Spurs to a 114-106 win over the host Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, a milestone victory for San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich.
The win was No. 1,333 in Popovich’s 26-year, head-coaching career — all in San Antonio — moving him past Lenny Wilkens for second place in NBA history. Only Don Nelson (1,335) remains ahead of Popovich.
The Spurs enter the All-Star break having won three of their past four while the Thunder go into the break having lost six of their past seven.
After leading by 16 with less than five minutes left, the Spurs were up by just five in the final 24 seconds.
DJ connecting with Jak🔥 pic.twitter.com/4iZq0niar7
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) February 17, 2022
Theo Maledon stole the ball from San Antonio’s Lonnie Walker IV, but Oklahoma City missed back-to-back shots with a chance to cut the deficit even further before the Spurs’ Doug McDermott grabbed a rebound and was fouled.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault challenged the call, hoping for a jump ball. The challenge simply changed the player charged with the foul.
McDermott made 1 of 2 free throws, and the Spurs ran out the clock to seal the victory.
Jakob Poeltl added 20 points and 17 rebounds for the Spurs, who had six players with 15 or more points.
Oklahoma City’s Josh Giddey recorded his third consecutive triple-double, with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Giddey became just the second rookie in NBA history to record three consecutive triple-doubles, joining Oscar Robertson. It was Giddey’s fourth triple-double of the season.
Josh Giddey is the first teenager ever with 3 straight triple-doubles.
17 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST
28 PTS, 11 REB, 12 AST
11 PTS, 12 REB, 10 ASTTonight was his 4th triple-double, tying Luka Doncic for most by a teenager in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/P4pmq7Iji7
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 17, 2022
Tre Mann led the Thunder with 24 points while Maledon scored a season-high 22.
After missing their first five shots, the Spurs got going offensively, taking advantage of Oklahoma City’s small lineup to have success near the basket.
By halftime, the Spurs led 73-58. San Antonio’s 73 first-half points tied the most allowed by the Thunder this season.
San Antonio outrebounded the Thunder in the first half, 32-22.
After rolling early, San Antonio’s offense slowed down in the third quarter, scoring just 16 points to give Oklahoma City an opening.
The Spurs’ Tre Jones missed the game with right knee soreness.
Oklahoma City was without Luguentz Dort for the second consecutive game due to a left shoulder strain.
