The reigning NBA champions see four members of their bench finish in double figures to set up the precious road victory.
Posted on May 23, 2026
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder survived an early rally to score a 123-108 victory over the San Antonio Spurs and take a 2-1 lead in their NBA Western Conference Finals series.
Two-time NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander led another dominant offensive performance Friday by the reigning NBA champions, who saw four members of their bench finish in double figures to set up the precious road victory.
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Jared McCain led the Thunder’s bench scorers with 24 points, while Jaylin Williams hit five 3-pointers in a contribution of 18 points.
French player Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio’s scoring with 26 points, while Devin Vassell added 20.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault praised his team’s “poise” after overcoming an early 15-point deficit to ultimately close out a convincing victory by the same margin.
“It was a blow, credit to them,” Daigneault said of San Antonio’s fast start. “They were ready to play and caught us early, but I thought we showed great poise in understanding the nature of the 48-minute game.
“It’s obviously a long game and the bench gave us a big boost to help us get the game to a manageable place. Great poise from the team.”
Another vibrant clash between the Western Conference rivals got off to a breathless start, with the Spurs taking a 15-0 lead within minutes of kick-off.
A shell-shocked Thunder lineup quickly regrouped and responded to close the gap to 31-29 early in the second quarter before a brilliant three-pointer from Gilgeous-Alexander gave the visitors the lead.
Oklahoma City then took a 58-51 halftime lead after outscoring San Antonio 32-20 in the second quarter, thanks to 10 points each from Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso.
The intensity that had simmered through the first two games of the series boiled over early in the third quarter, when Mitchell shoved Stephon Castle as the Spurs guard jumped for a basket.
Castle skated off the court while teammate Devin Vassell shoved Mitchell, causing a melee.
At that point, Oklahoma City had built a 10-point lead, 67-57, and they kept the pressure on to lead 95-84 heading into the fourth quarter.
The points continued to flow in the fourth and the Thunder maintained their comfortable lead to close out the victory.
“We were very ready to start the game and obviously we didn’t keep it going,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said afterward.
“It wasn’t sustainable how we started, but I thought we played very fast, and that’s something that diminished as the game went on. We have to find a way to do it.”
Game 4 of the best-of-seven series will take place in San Antonio on Sunday.