Nigerian basketball center Charles Bassey delivered a strong performance, scoring 12 points and securing eight rebounds to help the shorthanded San Antonio Spurs claim a 110-104 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Typically limited in playing time when the Spurs have a full roster, Bassey has taken advantage of the opportunities created by the absence of key players like Victor Wembanyama and Jeremy Sochan.
Beyond his offensive contributions, Bassey showcased his defensive prowess, tallying eight rebounds, two blocks—including a critical rejection of Alex Caruso with under five minutes left in the fourth quarter—and a steal to seal the win.
Keldon Johnson had a team-high 22 points while Harrison Barnes dropped 20 points. Veteran guard Chris Paul contributed 14 points and added 11 assists.
Rookie Stephon Castle, the 4th overall pick in the 2024 draft by the Spurs, praised Bassey’s standout performance in their surprising victory over OKC.
“We got together all the time. So it wasn’t anything new, new for us. I’m just happy he’s finally getting the opportunity to show what he can do. He’s been keeping his head down, working every day,” Castle said.
Veteran Chris Paul also commended Bassey, saying, “Bassey was unbelievable. When I signed in the summer, he was coming back from injury, and so was Devin, and to see those guys work back into the team and stay ready is incredible.”
