Western Conference Finals shift to Oklahoma City as Thunder welcome back Jalen Williams
The series is tied ahead of Game 5, with the Thunder seeking to regain momentum against a San Antonio side led by Victor Wembanyama’s dominant defensive presence.
The NBA Western Conference Finals series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs is set to shift to Oklahoma City for Game 5 on Tuesday, with the matchup currently tied. The Thunder, who entered the postseason undefeated, will look to leverage the return of forward Jalen Williams, who missed Game 2 of the first round with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. The 2022 No. 12 overall pick is available for the series, providing a boost to a squad considered the season-long favourite for the championship.
San Antonio has presented a significant challenge to Oklahoma City’s undefeated run, having defeated the Thunder in four of their five regular-season meetings with an average margin of victory of 11.75 points. The Spurs, led by 22-year-old French centre Victor Wembanyama, have utilised a disciplined defensive structure to disrupt the Thunder’s offensive flow. In their most recent victory, the Spurs recorded 11 steals, stifling an Oklahoma City team that had previously maintained a 5-0 road record in the 2026 playoffs.
Wembanyama has been the central figure in San Antonio’s defensive efficacy, averaging 4.1 blocks per game during the playoffs, a figure more than double that of the second-place player, Jarrett Allen. In the last game, the 22-year-old recorded 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocked shots, and two steals, including a half-court shot at the buzzer to end the first half. His performance underscored the Spurs’ ability to turn defence into offence, a strategy highlighted by head coach Mitch Johnson as key to their recent success.
Conversely, Oklahoma City’s offence faced notable restrictions, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander held to 19 points on 6-of-15 shooting in the same contest. This marked a stark contrast to his earlier performances in the series. The Spurs’ defensive intensity has prevented them from losing three consecutive games this season, positioning them as a formidable obstacle for the Thunder as they seek to avoid becoming the first team to fail to win back-to-back championships since the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
The series continues with Game 6 scheduled for Thursday in San Antonio. Broadcast coverage for the Western Conference Finals is provided by NBC, with streaming options available via Peacock and DIRECTV. The NBA Finals are scheduled to commence on June 3, pending the outcome of this tightly contested series.
