Thunder Beat Spurs 127-114 in Game 5 to Move Within NBA Finals Berth/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points as Oklahoma City moved one victory away from returning to the NBA Finals. The Thunder now lead the series 3-2 heading into Game 6 in San Antonio.
Thunder vs Spurs Game 5 Quick Looks
- Thunder defeated Spurs 127-114 in Game 5.
- Oklahoma City leads Western Conference finals 3-2.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points.
- Alex Caruso added 22 points off the bench.
- Jared McCain scored 20 in first playoff start.
- Victor Wembanyama struggled shooting 4-of-15.
- Spurs missed 29 of 41 three-point attempts.
- Oklahoma City scored 40 points in second quarter.
- Game 6 will be played Thursday in San Antonio.
- Knicks await winner in NBA Finals matchup.
Thunder Move One Win From NBA Finals
Oklahoma City Thunder moved within one victory of the NBA Finals after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 Tuesday night in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.
The defending NBA champions now hold a 3-2 series advantage and can clinch a Finals berth with a victory Thursday in San Antonio.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 32 points while veteran guard Alex Caruso sparked the bench with 22 points.
Thunder Bounce Back After Game 4 Loss
Oklahoma City responded emphatically after suffering a crushing 21-point defeat in Game 4.
The Thunder scored 82 points before the third quarter was even four minutes old, matching the entire total they produced in Sunday’s loss.
“We obviously played a lot better, in terms of our process and then also the outcome,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. “It’s a playoff series. If you look at any playoff series that goes to six games, at least, there’s going to be some tough games.”
Daigneault praised his team’s ability to quickly regroup.
“This team does a great job of just coming back in the next day in a very neutral way, taking whatever the lessons are, applying them forward and getting into the next opportunity,” he said.
Jared McCain Steps Up in First Playoff Start
Rookie guard Jared McCain delivered a breakout performance with 20 points in his first playoff start.
McCain entered the lineup with both Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell sidelined.
Chet Holmgren added 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 12 points and 15 rebounds.
Spurs Struggle From Three-Point Range
San Antonio could not overcome poor perimeter shooting.
The Spurs missed 29 of their 41 attempts from beyond the arc, limiting their comeback opportunities throughout the second half.
Stephon Castle led San Antonio with 24 points.
Julian Champagnie scored 22 points, while Victor Wembanyama finished with 20 points but struggled badly shooting just 4-for-15 from the field.
Reserve forward Keldon Johnson added 15 points off the bench.
“It just felt like it was a little bit of everything in terms of we did not put ourselves in position enough to be successful on each possession,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “And so, to beat a team of this caliber, in their building, with the stakes, we’ll need to be a lot better to give yourself a chance.”
Huge Second Quarter Changed the Game
Oklahoma City took control during a dominant second quarter in which the Thunder exploded for 40 points.
The offensive surge gave the Thunder a double-digit lead they largely maintained the rest of the night.
“We just played to who we were tonight,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
The Thunder eventually stretched the lead to 20 points during the third quarter before San Antonio briefly rallied.
Spurs Furious Over Missed Calls
San Antonio became increasingly frustrated late in the third quarter after several controversial officiating decisions.
The Spurs argued Oklahoma City’s Cason Wallace committed goaltending when blocking a Luke Kornet tip-in attempt.
Moments later, the Spurs believed they should have retained possession on an out-of-bounds play after replay appeared to show the ball touched Holmgren last.
Coach Mitch Johnson attempted to challenge the ruling but said officials ignored him before issuing him a technical foul.
“They just said they didn’t see me,” Johnson said.
Despite the controversy, Oklahoma City entered the fourth quarter ahead 101-91.
Thunder Close Out Strong
The Spurs briefly cut the deficit to eight points but never seriously threatened in the final quarter.
Oklahoma City maintained a double-digit lead for nearly the entire fourth period.
“We definitely got better from the last game,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
Knicks Await NBA Finals Opponent
The winner of the Western Conference finals will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals beginning June 3.
Game 6 will take place Thursday night in San Antonio.
If necessary, Game 7 would return to Oklahoma City on Saturday.
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