Why Brian Windhorst is sounding ‘alarm’ for Thunder after Game 4 debacle vs. Spurs

The Oklahoma City Thunder have no time to wallow in their loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 in the Western Conference Finals. They need to dust it off and play better in Game 5 at Paycom Center on Tuesday, although it is easier said than done.

With Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell out due to a hamstring injury and a calf injury, respectively, the Thunder had trouble finding other options on offense on Sunday.

They only scored 83 points, their lowest output in the playoffs. Their 38 points in the first half tied their second-lowest in any half in the past four years. They only shot 33% from the field, including 6-of-33 from three-point range.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst expressed concern for the Thunder following their defeat.

“Going forward in this series, the alarm bells should be going off for the Thunder because this was the first game they played in the playoffs without Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams. Boy, did it make a difference in their offensive creation,” said Windhorst.

“It’s one thing when you’re missing one. When you’re missing two, it puts so much stress on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to create.”

Gilgeous-Alexander was limited to 19 points on 6-of-15 field goals. He had four turnovers.

Williams has only played four games in the playoffs. He had to exit in the first quarter of Game 2 after reaggravating his hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Mitchell, who is averaging 5.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 steals against the Spurs, missed his first game of the playoffs in Game 4. His numbers have significantly dipped compared to his breakout run against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round.

Obviously, the Thunder are not panicking, and they would want to prove Windhorst wrong. He was the same guy who predicted that no one should write off the Cleveland Cavaliers against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

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