The San Antonio Spurs made history on Tuesday night, as they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in the inaugural game at Austin’s H-E-B Center. Led by rookie forward Keldon Bates-Diop, the Spurs overcame a slow start to secure a hard-fought victory.
Bates-Diop, who was drafted by the Spurs in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft, had a breakout performance in his first game at the H-E-B Center. He finished with a team-high 18 points and seven rebounds, while shooting 8-of-13 from the field. His performance helped the Spurs overcome a sluggish start, as they trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half.
The Spurs were able to turn things around in the second half, thanks in large part to Bates-Diop’s impressive play. He was able to get to the rim and finish strong, while also knocking down a few mid-range jumpers. His energy and hustle on both ends of the floor helped the Spurs outscore the Thunder by 11 points in the second half.
The Spurs were also able to get contributions from other players, such as guard DeMar DeRozan and forward LaMarcus Aldridge. DeRozan finished with 17 points and seven assists, while Aldridge added 16 points and six rebounds. The Spurs’ depth was on full display, as they had eight players score in double figures.
The win was a special one for the Spurs, as it was their first game at Austin’s H-E-B Center. The arena, which is located just outside of downtown Austin, is set to become the team’s new home court for the 2020-21 season. The Spurs will be hoping that Tuesday night’s performance is a sign of things to come at their new home.
Overall, it was a memorable night for the Spurs and Bates-Diop. His performance was crucial in helping the team secure a victory in their inaugural game at Austin’s H-E-B Center. With Bates-Diop leading the way, the Spurs have a bright future ahead of them at their new home court.
