Gilgeous-Alexander's 26 points, 12 assists lead Thunder past Spurs' 15-0 start
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 26 points and 12 assists helped the Thunder overcome a 15‑point deficit to beat the Spurs 123‑108, taking a 2‑1 series lead. San Antonio opened with a record 15‑0 run, while OKC’s bench outscored San Antonio’s 76‑23.
TL;DR: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 26 points and 12 assists helped the Oklahoma City Thunder erase a 15‑point deficit and beat the San Antonio Spurs 123‑108, taking a 2‑1 lead in the Western Conference finals. The Spurs opened with a 15‑0 run, the longest such start in conference‑finals history since 1997, while OKC’s bench outscored San Antonio’s 76‑23.
Context
Oklahoma City entered the game missing forward Jalen Williams due to left hamstring soreness. San Antonio’s De’Aaron Fox, cleared after a sprained ankle, sparked the early surge that produced the historic 15‑0 opening. The Thunder trailed 31‑26 after the first quarter but responded with a 13‑2 run when Victor Wembanyama rested.
The Thunder won Game 2 in overtime after losing Game 1 in double overtime. San Antonio’s victory in Game 1 came despite Fox’s limited minutes due to injury. Both teams have traded leads throughout the series, highlighting the competitive nature of the matchup.
Key Facts
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 26 points and 12 assists, leading Oklahoma City’s offense. The Spurs’ 15‑0 start marks the longest opening‑game run in conference‑finals history since play‑by‑play tracking began in 1997. Oklahoma City’s bench contributed 76 points compared to San Antonio’s 23, with Alex Caruso adding 15 points for the Thunder.
What It Means
The victory gives Oklahoma City a series edge and shows its ability to adjust after a slow start, relying on depth and disciplined execution. San Antonio will need to curb early‑game bursts and get more production from its bench to stay competitive. Game 4 on Sunday will test whether the Thunder can maintain their defensive consistency and if the Spurs can adjust their rotation.
Coach Mark Daigneault emphasized defensive discipline after the early run, noting the team settled into half‑court sets. San Antonio’s coach will likely review rotation patterns to limit Fox’s early impact. Adjustments in bench utilization could become a key factor in the remaining games.
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