The Oklahoma City Thunder steadied themselves after a sloppy series opener, leaning on their MVP to power a 122-113 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. The win levels the Western Conference finals at one game apiece heading back to Texas.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league's back-to-back MVP, answered his Game 1 struggles with 30 points as Oklahoma City dominated the bench battle and forced San Antonio into costly turnovers. The Thunder outscored the Spurs 57-25 from their reserves alone and converted 27 turnovers into 10 points, creating the separation needed down the stretch.
Alex Caruso chipped in 17 off the bench for Oklahoma City. Chet Holmgren added 13, while reserves Jared McCain and Cason Wallace each contributed 12 as the Thunder's depth proved decisive.
"I thought we all played better," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "I had a quiet confidence about that. I didn't know if we'd win or lose the game, but I was pretty sure after watching Game 1 and knowing our team that we were going to come out and play better tonight."
Victor Wembanyama, who torched Oklahoma City for 41 points and 24 rebounds in Game 1, finished with 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocks. The Thunder adjusted their approach defensively, mixing coverages and forcing the Spurs star to work harder for everything he touched. Stephon Castle led San Antonio with 25 points and Devin Vassell scored 22, but it wasn't enough to overcome the bench gap.
"Every good player, they have to feel the defense," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "He's very different to scout. You've got to try to mix things up, try different things. And that's just what we did."
Both teams took hits heading into Friday's Game 3 in San Antonio. The Thunder lost guard Jalen Williams to a recurring left hamstring issue during the first half, raising questions about his availability for the next game. Williams had already missed six playoff contests with the same strain.
The Spurs' injury concerns run deeper. Already playing without All-Star De'Aaron Fox due to ankle soreness, San Antonio lost backup guard Dylan Harper to a right leg injury in the third quarter after a pair of awkward falls. The timing was brutal, leaving Spurs coach Mitch Johnson scrambling to manage an already depleted backcourt.
"When you're down some of your primary creators and initiators it causes a little bit of an extra strain," Johnson said. "We'll just have to be sharper in that area because it's tough fully loaded against these guys."
Author James Rodriguez: "Thunder showed real character bouncing back, but keeping Jalen Williams upright is critical for what's coming next."
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