NBA: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pushes Thunder past Spurs for 3-2 edge

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 127-114 home victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday, moving Oklahoma City within one win of a second consecutive NBA Finals appearance.

The Thunder now lead the best-of-seven series 3-2 heading into Game 6 in San Antonio on Thursday.

Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault adjusted his starting lineup again as the team continued to play without Jalen Williams (hamstring) and Ajay Mitchell (calf). Instead of Cason Wallace, who started Game 4, Daigneault turned to Jared McCain.

McCain struggled early, scoring just two points on 1-of-5 shooting in the first half, but he responded strongly after the break, finishing with 20 points, including 18 in the second half.

Gilgeous-Alexander was efficient from the free-throw line, hitting 16 of 17 attempts, though he shot 7-of-19 from the field. Alex Caruso provided a major lift off the bench, scoring 22 points after being held scoreless in Game 4.

Oklahoma City’s bench also made a difference, outscoring San Antonio’s reserves 40-33.

For San Antonio, Stephon Castle led the way with 24 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Julian Champagnie added 22. Victor Wembanyama finished with 20 points and six rebounds but struggled offensively, shooting just 4-of-15 from the field.

The Thunder avoided the slow starts that hurt them in previous games, overcoming an early eight-point deficit before taking control late in the first quarter behind five straight points from Gilgeous-Alexander. Oklahoma City carried an 11-point lead into halftime and extended it quickly in the third quarter, opening the period with a 9-0 run.

San Antonio briefly cut the deficit to eight twice in the third quarter but never got closer. The Thunder closed strong to rebound from their Game 4 loss.

A key sequence came late in the third when Spurs coach Mitch Johnson challenged an out-of-bounds call that was ultimately not overturned, despite replay showing the ball last touched Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren. Moments later, Johnson was assessed a technical foul after Gilgeous-Alexander drew a foul, and he converted three free throws to push the lead to 101-88.

Holmgren finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Isaiah Hartenstein added 12 points and 15 rebounds. Keldon Johnson scored 15 points off the bench for San Antonio.

The Thunder now return to San Antonio with momentum and a chance to close out the series and secure another trip to the NBA Finals. -Field Level Media/Reuters