Thunder take 3-2 Western Conference finals lead over Spurs
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 32 points as Oklahoma City overcomes Game 4 slump to edge San Antonio 127-114
The Oklahoma City Thunder have seized a 3-2 advantage in the Western Conference finals after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 in Game 5. The victory moves the defending NBA champions one win away from the league’s ultimate prize, with Game 6 scheduled for Thursday in San Antonio.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the offensive charge with 32 points, including a playoff career-high 16 of 17 free throws. He was supported by a robust bench performance from Alex Caruso, who contributed 22 points, and Jared McCain, who scored 20 in his first playoff start. McCain replaced sidelined players Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, stepping into a critical role for the Thunder.
The game’s momentum shifted decisively in the second quarter, where Oklahoma City scored 40 points to take control. The teams combined for 29 made free throws in that period, marking the highest total for any NBA second quarter since the bubble playoffs nearly six years ago. Gilgeous-Alexander accounted for a significant portion of this activity, attempting 17 free throws and making 16.
San Antonio struggled to maintain offensive efficiency, missing 29 of their 41 three-point attempts. Victor Wembanyama scored 20 points on 4-of-15 shooting, while Stephon Castle added 24 points and Julian Champagnie contributed 22. The Thunder’s interior defence, anchored by Isaiah Hartenstein’s 12 points and 15 rebounds, held Wembanyama to a 27 per cent field goal percentage.
Controversy marked the third quarter, with the Spurs expressing frustration over officiating decisions. A missed goaltending call on Luke Kornet and an incorrect out-of-bounds call led to a technical foul for Spurs coach Mitch Johnson. Despite the disputes, Oklahoma City maintained a double-digit lead for most of the final quarter, securing the win and setting up a potential Game 7 in their home arena on Saturday if necessary.
The winner of this series will face the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on 3 June. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault emphasised the team’s resilience following a 103-82 loss in Game 4, noting that the squad had returned to their standard of play. The Spurs, meanwhile, acknowledged the need for significant improvement to compete at this level.
