The Athletic NBA Daily

Episode: Thunder vs Spurs Episode IV: The Thunder Strikes Back
Date: January 14, 2026
Hosts: Dave DuFour, Esperahenny ("Es"), Andrew Schlecht (guest)

Overview

This episode dives into last night’s key NBA games, focusing on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s emphatic win over the San Antonio Spurs, breaking their losing streak in the season series. The hosts also recap the Timberwolves’ surprising rout of the Milwaukee Bucks and the Denver Nuggets’ ongoing resilience without Nikola Jokic. With deep analysis and on-the-ground insight from Thunder reporter Andrew Schlecht, the conversation centers on team adjustments, player development, and the budding rivalry between Oklahoma City and San Antonio.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Thunder Finally Strike Back Against the Spurs

Timestamps:

• Discussion starts: [12:56]

• Andrew Schlecht joins: [13:25]

• Thunder’s Season-Series Struggles: Coming in down 0–3 to the Spurs, OKC needed the win badly—and delivered with a 119–98 blowout.

• Real ‘Thunder’ Defense Returns: After weeks of inconsistent form, OKC’s hallmark defensive intensity returned, sparked by a decisive third-quarter run.

  • “Their defense was just ratcheted up like three or four notches in the third. Shay was unbelievable.” — Andrew Schlecht [13:25]

• Third-Quarter Turnaround:

  • SGA (“Shay”) scored 15 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists in the third.
  • Jalen Williams (“J-Dub”) attacked relentlessly; 10 points in that same stretch.

• Not About Shot Selection, but Execution:

  • Shot chart looked similar to earlier losses; the difference was making shots and keeping pace defensively to disrupt the Spurs’ rhythm.

2. The Wembanyama vs. Chet Holmgren Dynamics

Timestamps:

• Introduced: [14:41]

• Epic Start: Victor Wembanyama (“Wemby”) threw down a dunk over Chet on the opening play for an early “statement.”

  • “Wemby's dunking stuff that we've never seen guys dunk before. … To start the game that way over another guy who's seven-one, Andrew… you had to have felt like, 'oh, no, are they about to get crushed?'” — Dave DuFour [15:03]
  • “Looked like me versus my 7 year old on the mini hoop… you get dunked on like that just on your head. Oh, come on.” — Andrew [15:22]

• Thunder's Defensive Scheme: OKC was comfortable baiting Wemby into isolation mid-range shots, content to let him take tough looks rather than collapse their defense.

• Impact on Wemby: Finished minus-13, with many forced, difficult attempts.

3. Physicality & Role Players Shine

Timestamps:

• J Will and the “non-Chet” defenders: [19:45]

• Jalen Williams (J-Dub): Finally looked himself, attacking the paint fearlessly and fueling OKC's transition game. “He was fearlessly attacking the rim.” — Andrew [22:49]

• Jaylin Williams (“J Will”): Huge double-double off bench, standout defense on Wemby, five assists.

• Other Contributors: A.J. Mitchell and Kendrick Williams brought a needed edge.

• Missing Players Matter: Spurs were without Devin Vassell; Thunder down Isaiah Hartenstein and Lou Dort. Both teams’ rotations were impacted, affecting matchups and defensive assignments.

4. The Emotional Edge—Shea Gilgeous-Alexander

Timestamps:

• Shay's expletive and attitude: [17:16]–[19:12]

• New Energy from SGA: For perhaps the first time in years, Shay was demonstrative, jawing with rookies like Castle and firing expletives after key makes.

  • “Can I quote him? Could you listen, this is a children's show, Dave.” — Andrew [17:55]

• Quotes:

  • “After the game, in the post game press conference, he mentioned: ‘Hey, this is not our Super Bowl.’ Feels like that's leaning in on the whole rivalry aspect, right?” — Es [18:02]
  • Andrew: “Yeah, it’s like, almost like, shots fired. Like, oh, this is not—this is just another game for us, guys. Yeah, no big deal.” [18:21]

5. Thunder’s Mentality & Playoff Implications

Timestamps:

• Playoff series possibility: [19:12]

• Rivalry Brewing: Both hosts and Andrew want OKC vs. SAS in the playoffs given the edge and unpredictability of their matchups.

  • “This matchup is, like, super entertaining. I hope we get a playoff series just because we have to.” — Andrew [19:12]

• Strategic Advantages: Thunder’s depth and ability to throw multiple looks at Wemby is a major storyline. J Will’s physicality is a game-changer.

  • “The rhythm that J Will plays…is different than any backup big that the Thunder have. Like, he’s really helpful.” — Andrew [20:34]
  • “He’s a completely different player…a true developmental story. He was not somebody that was pegged as this. Like, he basically could take a charge. And the charges…that was about it.” — Andrew [21:41]

6. Thunder’s Season Outlook—Course Correction

Timestamps:

• Midseason check-in: [24:37]

• Past Slump Acknowledged: Hosts reference Sam Presti’s quote, “the sky falls on NBA teams twice a year.” Sky just finished falling for OKC, but this game felt like a turning point.

• How Do They Sustain Success?

  • “One, make threes would be helpful… and then also just bring this same level of defensive intensity.” — Andrew [25:01]
  • Three-point shooting isn’t always controllable, but defensive effort is the margin-maker.

• Upcoming Stretch: The Thunder will face contenders like Houston and Denver, with several high-profile national TV games.

Other Major NBA Headlines

Timberwolves Rout Bucks—Crisis in Milwaukee?

Timestamps:

• Bucks/Wolves segment: [02:56]

• Bucks loss to shorthanded Wolves (139–106): With no Anthony Edwards or Rudy Gobert, Minnesota’s depth was on full display, while Milwaukee’s malaise deepens.

• Giannis’s Frustration: Showed emotion after an and-one, possibly echoing the fans’ boos.

  • “There was a moment…he goes, attacks the basket, gets an and one and starts booing to the fans. And I think that was because the fans were booing first just because of how badly the Bucks were getting beat.” — Es [03:42]

• Bucks Future Uncertain: Speculation of an “inevitable breakup” with Giannis is heating up. “It feels like we’re headed towards an inevitable breakup, but it’s one of those slow breakups…” — Es [04:03]

• Coaching Questions: Dave singles out lack of criticism for Doc Rivers amid ongoing mediocrity. [05:17]

Nuggets Thriving Without Jokic

Timestamps:

• Nuggets segment: [07:59]

• Peyton Watson focus: [09:00]

• No Jokic, No Problem: Nuggets now 5–3 without their MVP, thanks to Jamal Murray (35 points, 9 assists, 3 steals) and breakout performances by Peyton Watson (31 points).

  • “What Jamal Murray has done to lead this team with Jokic out, I don’t think we can overlook this.” — Dave [08:19]

• Peyton Watson’s Leap: Creating off the dribble, not just spot-ups; averaging 22 points since Jokic injury.

  • “There are so many opportunities where I see him actually create his own shot, and that is a stark contrast from what he was last season…” — Es [09:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Looked like me versus my 7 year old on the mini hoop…you get dunked on like that just on your head. Oh, come on.”
  — Andrew Schlecht, describing Wemby’s opening dunk [15:22]

• “After the game…he mentioned: ‘Hey, this is not our Super Bowl.’ Feels like that's leaning in on the whole rivalry aspect, right?”
  — Es, on SGA’s mentality vs. the Spurs [18:02]

• “This matchup is, like, super entertaining. I hope we get a playoff series just because we have to.”
  — Andrew Schlecht [19:12]

• “He had five assists tonight. He had 10 boards…The guy is taking guys off the dribble some. He can space the floor with his three ball. Like, he's super helpful and he's, like, very, very physical.”
  — Andrew Schlecht on Jaylin Williams [20:34]

• “The Thunder were amazing in the paint tonight… 18 of 21 in the restricted area.”
  — Andrew Schlecht [23:45]

Important Timestamps for Quick Access

• [01:45] Episode start and preview
• [02:56] Bucks’ worst loss and Giannis speculation
• [07:59] Nuggets’ resilience without Jokic; Peyton Watson’s improvement
• [12:56] Thunder-Spurs full analysis begins
• [13:25] Andrew Schlecht’s live game insight
• [14:41] Wemby vs. Chet conversation
• [17:16] SGA's emotion and trash talk
• [19:45] J Will’s bench impact and matchup adjustments
• [24:37] Thunder's midseason mental reset

Conclusion

The Thunder’s dominant win over the Spurs was about energy, execution, and adjustment. With a returning defensive identity and a fired-up SGA, OKC looks poised for a strong finish—if they sustain this intensity and knock down their threes. Meanwhile, the Bucks face existential questions after another embarrassing loss, and the Nuggets keep finding ways to win “by committee” while Jokic rests. The Thunder-Spurs beef is real, the playoff intrigue is mounting, and NBA Daily will be watching every step.