Steve Jones

Keep an eye on that Liberty zone and how it disrupts offense. Doesn't feel like much but you run a screen and there is Breanna Stewart up top, you swing and it's Satou Sabally with a stunt and recover and Jonquel is just in the paint.

This is the flow you want to see on offense if you're the Toronto Tempo and this is the poise you want to see from Kiki Rice. Comfort continues to grow, sees the drop, no hesitation to go to a pullup.

The Golden State Valkyries are going to defend, drive and let it fly from 3.

Veronica Burton is going to get downhill.

Well that's no hesitation from Leila Lacan. The patience sold me, saw the under on one screen. Got a re-screen to confirm and let it fly.

Olivia Miles ability to turn the corner and finish is just fun to watch.

Look at Azzi Fudd getting it done on both ends of the floor.

Azzi Fudd continues to let it fly. Good design from Dallas here. Looks like Shepard/Fudd will screen for Paige Bueckers. Notice Fudd immediately dive to the block. Turns into roll/replace, Shepard dives to block, Fudd rises to wing for 3.

The thing about the Aces, as this season goes on they are delivering problems and solving them as well. Jackie Young have a great game so now you run a stagger for Bell, have Young pass and cut off two screens. Gets a trap and A'ja Wilson rolls. That forces help and Smith open

It's always funny to see how much attention the Valkyries want to throw at A'ja Wilson. Empty side pick and roll and you get Wilson rolling and you think you're good. Two defenders are there on the catch, neither of which started the play guarding A'ja.

Good set from the Aces to start this one, poking at Valkyries defense. Zipper for Jackie Young into pass and cut with Smith. Chelsea Gray set a pindown for Smith and slipped. No show on Young getting the ball because you think help is there. It was not, easy 2 for Young.

They gonna talk about this Dylan Harper shot over breakfast tacos with some potatoes in them.

excuse me

Back and forth basketball. Spurs contain the first attak from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with Wemby helping late. Keep the ball in front. Ball gets back to SGA late in the clock. Nail the double but you're showing help and Jaylin Williams makes you pay from 3.

This is the thing with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He's made enough shots to make the Spurs not feel comfortable guarding him 1v1. Doubles back on the table, he draws two and hits Williams for a score.

oh

Well the San Antonio Spurs have come out swinging.

Leïla Lacan is BACK

Marine Johannes is doing it again

The battle between the Oklahoma City Thunder's drives and ball movement and the San Antonio Spurs activity and rotations.

Spurs go back to this set they started the game with but with a twist. Instead of a loop to initiate, Castle sets a backscreen for Vassell and catches. Fox off the flare from Champagnie, Wemby screens for Castle. G5 felt like OKC taking Wemby away as a roller. Back on the table

Well with the Thunder going drop the counter is the screen navigation from their guards. Caruso pressuring the ball, Spurs try to go high P&R but he slides under. Swing it to Castle, Wembanyama screens and another under. Re-screen, an under with nail help from Caruso.

Just some great effort from Carter Bryant vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The reward is a kick to Caruso for 3 and a midrange jumpshot.

Nice sequence for Victor Wembanyama. OKC has wanted to put him in action more, fights over the inverted P&R for Chet. Switches everything and gets a block. Attacks in transition before OKC can fully load up

well that is one way to start this game Victor Wembanyama.

Chennedy Carter has been instant offense for the Aces this year. Like the patience here. Sees the under on the first screen, waits to set up the re-screen. Sees an under on the rescreen, lets it fly right away.

It's always funny when a team starts a game doubling A'ja Wilson, stops and then A'ja Wilson *immediately* reminds them why they were doubling.

Tough part about guarding the Portland Fire is they just keep stacking actions. Sun defend the first screen in the rescreen. Flows to Carleton and you contain there. Now it's a random guard/guard screen with the left side empty. No clean switch, help forced, skip to Leite for 3

Well it does appear that having Leonie Fiebich, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones defending together helps your defense out.

Marine Johannes has made 4 threes in the first quarter.

Well Leonie Fiebich (and the cutting) has returned for the New York Liberty

Good patience from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Isaiah Hartenstein in pick and roll. Left side is empty and Wemby is in action. Drop is there but Shai tries to turn the corner. Back dribble gets Wemby to re-engage, Hartenstein rolled deep. Shai finds him late for 2.

welp

OKC keeps getting stuff out of this set. Empty side pick and roll on the right wing, advance to the top to get to another pick and roll. Here Wemby is involved in that second P&R. You switch the first, Wemby in a drop on the second. Vassell helps on the roll, skip there for 3.

Look at the defense from Stephon Castle. The battle between Shai and Castle is just fun to watch.

OKC looking to drive but looking to use those drives to poke at the Spurs rotations and Wemby. Wallace drives vs. Barnes, Wembanyama pulls into the paint to help. Skip pass is there to Caruso, rotation is there. Extra to Williams for 3.

OKC poking at the Spurs defense and playing out of breakdowns and Wemby's rotations. Chet screens and the Spurs switch that. Chet works to seal. Advance to McCain who gets a screen from Williams. No switch, roll is there and Wemby helps from strong side corner. Open 3 there.

Oh Julian Champagnie is just *here* tonight

Welcome sight for both Thunder and Spurs fans. OKC runs a pindown for Chet Holmgren, gets it, sees Wemby but keeps his matchup and scores. Spurs outlet it quick and De'Aaron Fox attacks and finishes.

The Spurs have worked to not overhelp vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Champagnie has been consistent with holding nail help. Notice Chet working to set a flare as he holds. Spurs do a good job of switching and containing.

Some big time buckets from Carla Leite down the stretch for the Portland Fire.

Fun action from the Fire. Loop Carleton to the corner, Engstler goes into a pindown while middle P&R is happening. Liberty handle that but Sarah Ashlee Barker does it again.

Well that's a nice pass from Marine Johannes to Jonquel Jones

Storm using Awa Fam in different ways, play starts with a pindown. Ends up re-spacing and then flowing into pick and roll. Has good footwork, works to get a touch but releases to the roll quick.

Like the activity from Awa Fam on defense here. Ready to guard in P&R, Mystics call for Austin to screen instead. Fam sees it and switches to stay in the action. Good drop, good release.

Liberty start the 4th with a good set to use their talent as pressure points. Satou catches, it's a stagger for Stewie with Sabrina/Jonquel as screeners. Thing is Stewie just curls off the first screen, Fudd doesn't see it and it's a curl for a layup.

The Liberty offense just felt a little flat, reliant on a flow that wasn't quite there. Not really intentional. Start with a Stewie/Jonquel handoff and the Wings switch. Advance to Astier and Gardner screens and it's a switch. Back to Jonquel and Stewie and it's a...switch.

Azzi Fudd fitting in the Wings movement. Iverson for Arike, left side is clear and Fudd gets a flare to that wing. Defense goes under, zero hesitation to let it fly. That confidence with reps feels key.

Little thing from Rhyne Howard. Dream use Reese and Howard as screeners for Canada. Howard is the second screener but all she does is get into her own to push her out of an easy switch. Slips to the wing. AT in a drop, defense fights over, 3 is there.

Oh, Alyssa Thomas just brought the lefty pullup back. Ok.

Liked this sequence from Angel Reese. In drop on the screen, sees Canada working to fight over. Stunts and recovers to get the steal. Brings it up, sees the space and Copper as the matchup and attacks.

It's not the reason the Spurs scored here but the mindset from Wemby just speaks volumes. Fox swings to Wemby he looks to go 1v1. Nothing there, he swings. Now Vassell gets a drive, ball movement gets the Spurs a 3. Just feel more settled in and decisive around him tonight.

OKC continues to work to get Shai Gilgeous-Alexander off ball. Loop him to the elbow so he can get a screen into a handoff. The trick is that allows the Spurs to be physical, work to deny and bog things down. Castle steals while it develops, defense to offense.

OKC sets up to go double drag for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Wemby is out of the action his man spaced in the right corner. Big key is the whole left side is open which allows SGA to reject, attack that way and get to his spot for a shot. Little things to create spacing and gaps.

OKC wants to move Shai Gilgeous-Alexander off ball. Spurs working to pressure the ball, working to be physical off ball. SGA wants the Vassell matchup, you give the switch, you help on the drive. You do all that you're supposed to do and Cason Wallace gets this drive and finish.

WHAT EVEN IS VICTOR WEMBANYAMA

Wemby on Caruso so OKC uses Caruso as a screener for SGA. Left side is empty so SGA has room to explore. Castle working to navigate and recover. Fake action helped but notice Caruso's pop forces help. He drives into Wemby but OKC's previous shotmaking forces help. Chet cuts.

There is a will that Victor Wembanyama is playing with on offense that was missing at times in Game 3. Looked to attack off the bounce wasn't there. Swung to Fox and screened so he could roll. Didn't get the lob clean but worked to get a second attempt at it.

OKC is tapping into attacking matchups a *little* bit while trying to put Wemby in action. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander screens to get Fox to switch. After that Hartenstein comes to screen, Wemby in a drop but SGA just gets to his spot.

Not even a smidge of hesitation from OKC when Wemby is not on the court.

The Thunder are working to find gaps and the Spurs defense is working to erase them as soon as they can.

The Spurs defense has been active to start this one. Containing penetration, disrupting movement. Biggest thing is they are turning stops into points on the other end. Wemby on McCain turns into a Vassell 3.

Spurs get stops and that allows them to flow. Easier flow means they can get to drive and kick. Then you get the Spurs drive and kick vs. the Thunder's rotations.

"he up there somewhere"

Victor Wembanyama working to establish himself on offense from the jump. Cross screen to get him a touch at the elbow. Looks to go 1v1, misses. Spurs get the offensive rebound, let's it fly from 3 right away.

Look at Stefanie Dolson and Natisha Hiedeman. The Storm are flowing.

Look at the defense from Azzi Fudd

Well, Sabrina Ionescu is BACK

Han Xu is going to let it fly. My favorite thing is Han initiating the Wheel here, calling for the corner cut so she can slide to the corner for a 3.

Liberty go back to the same set, you're thinking about taking away the Satou post up. This time Sabrina Ionescu gets the handoff and gets to her floater.

First set of the game for the Liberty and you can see them using their talent together. -Marine dribbles at Ionescu, cut to the block -Stewie with a pindown for Satou, swing to Stewie -Satou with a pindown for Sabrina -All of that for a post up for Satou with everyone spaced

Good work from Angel Reese in the post in this one. Really looking to hit first, seal, work to get a catch deep in the paint and attack. Works within the flow for Atlanta.

Inverted pick and roll for Alyssa Thomas is just so tough to deal with. Mercury work to set the screen flat or get an angle and if you're coming up to the level things change. AT just says you are coming with me for a layup.

Hot start for Rhyne Howard. Reminder of how touch she is to deal with because of the drives and ability to get to her spot.

Knicks go back to this Flex action they have used before in the playoffs but flip the personnel. KAT catches and it's Josh Hart setting a screen for McBride. That puts Mitchell/Allen in action. Mitchell fights over, Allen holds, Hart open on the pop for 3.

Cleveland's done a good job all series switching to take away the Knicks off ball movement, to poke at using KAT as a hub. Good counter from the Knicks here. KAT catches, Alvarado screens for McBride and the Cavs switch. Alvarado holds that screen and cuts for a layup.

The question is "why do teams give the switch" and the answer is to avoid being in rotation. Shamet screens for Jalen Brunson to bring Merrill into the action. Cavs don't want to switch that so Shamet able to slip, Brunson hits him on the roll. Forces more help and a kick for 3

Knicks look to unlock Jalen Brunson. Use Shamet as a screener to get Mitchell in action. Big key is Cleveland does not automatically switch. That does open up another side. KAT now goes to screen, reject engages Mobley who was dropped back. KAT pops and is now able to drive.

Cleveland continuing to put Karl-Anthony Towns in action in P&R -Pindown for Mobley into a screen, roll forces help, pass to Allen -High P&R near half court for Harden, KAT dropped back, Harden attacks and Mobley boards -Same high screen, waits for rescreen, Harden finishes

Cleveland puts Karl-Anthony Towns in action early, high P&R for James Harden. Mitchell spaced by himself on the right side. KAT in a drop, defense helps on the roll. Skip to Mitchell, KAT takes the drive late. Mitchell goes right to work.

This is what you want to see if you're the Toronto Tempo. Mabrey gets a high screen, the buckets turn into the Fire trapping. Reads it, gets it to Kiki Rice. Zero hesitation from Rice to attack, turns the corner and finishes.

well alright Marina Mabrey

Portland's been a good spot for Bridget Carleton to grow and just absolutely walked down the space here and let it fly.

The Fire offense has not hit the flow they want as far as getting from action to action. I will say the Tempo keep building defensively. Activity and physicality has been there.

Well, folks, there goes Marina Mabrey again.

The switching from the Fever defense has helped simplify things. One thing I've noticed the last couple games, nailing the scram switch. Good timing from Billings to see an action being ran and kicking Clark back out to the perimeter.

Keeping an eye on the flow from the Fever on offense and how much they can get to drive and kick on top of pick and roll/movement.

OKC has just been so decisive to attack the Spurs closeouts, making quick decisions when the Spurs are not fully loaded up. Been part of the difference in the last two games.

He up there somewhere

Hartenstein screens for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Wemby is near the level and dropping. Hartenstein again is not really rolling he's looking to hit Wemby to engage him so he can impact Shai. Champagnie holds his help, Caruso flows to the corner and hits another 3. Timely.

Thunder continue to work to be decisive and get to drive and kick vs. the Spurs rotations and Wemby's help. Big time drive from Jared McCain

Back and forth here. OKC trying to find gaps to attack, Wemby working to rotate -Shai as a screener to get a switch, drives, Wemby is waiting on the right block -Swing, Caruso dives before going to the corner -As that's happening Wemby works to rotate back to block, Caruso 3

Jaylin Williams and Alex Caruso have been huge for the Thunder in this one.

Thunder ball movement vs. Spurs rotations remains a battleground. Jaylin Williams has made some big shots for OKC in this one.

Spurs working to pressure Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and he just continues to counter. Gets to his stepback.

The attention that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is drawing and his ability to play out of it has been key for OKC over these two games.

De'Aaron Fox has returned for the Spurs and you see his impact right from the start. First set is Castle setting a backscreen for Wemby. Only that's a fake to get up Wemby screening for Castle. Thunder defend that, quick swing to Fox who drives and finishes. Adds a layer.

Well that's one way for Victor Wembanyama to respond to the physicality from Game 2. Sheesh.

The Indiana Fever defense has felt more connected since they have leaned into switching. Good work from Hull to switch, Boston sees it and kicks her out, puts Hull in a spot for a steal.

The fact that Caitlin Clark keeps looking for these drives continues to stand out