Thunder Overcome 15‑Point Deficit, Bench Powers 123‑108 Win Over Spurs

The Thunder entered Game 3 trailing 31‑26 after the Spurs opened with a 15‑0 run, the longest opening stretch in conference‑final history since 1997. San Antonio’s early surge, driven by De‑Aaron Fox’s layup and Victor Wembanyama’s three‑pointer, forced Oklahoma City to call a timeout and regroup.

Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander responded with 26 points and 12 assists, steering the Thunder back into the game. A 13‑2 run after Wembanyama’s bench stint gave Oklahoma City a first‑quarter edge, and back‑to‑back three‑pointers from Gilgeous‑Alexander and Jaylin Williams pushed the lead to 35‑31.

Bench production defined the contest. Oklahoma City’s reserves tallied 76 points, dwarfing San Antonio’s 23. Alex Caruso contributed 15 off the bench, while Jared McCain added 24 and Jaylin Williams 18 for the starters. The Spurs’ secondary unit managed only 23 points, highlighting the disparity.

Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with 24 points, supported by Devin Vassell’s 20 and Fox’s 15 in his series debut. Despite the early run, the Spurs could not sustain momentum; defensive lapses allowed the Thunder to build a 15‑point cushion by halftime.

Coach Mark Daigneault credited disciplined defense and efficient offense for the turnaround, noting the team avoided reckless play against a well‑coached opponent. The Thunder’s ability to absorb early pressure and rely on depth underscores a series trend: games are being decided by bench contributions as much as star performances.

With the series now at 2‑1, Oklahoma City heads into Game 4 on Sunday. Watch whether the Spurs can adjust their defensive schemes and generate bench production to counter the Thunder’s depth advantage.