Share and Follow
In an exhilarating showdown in Oklahoma City, the San Antonio Spurs emerged victorious against the Oklahoma City Thunder, clinching a 122-115 win in double overtime to kick off the Western Conference finals on Monday night. Victor Wembanyama was the star of the night, delivering a stellar performance with 41 points and 24 rebounds. His decisive pair of dunks in the final minute, including an exciting three-point play, helped the Spurs clinch the win and seize home-court advantage. This victory marks the fifth win for the Spurs against the Thunder in their last six encounters this season.
Dylan Harper also shone brightly for San Antonio, contributing 24 points and setting a team playoff record with seven steals. Despite missing De’Aaron Fox due to ankle stiffness, the Spurs had strong support from Stephon Castle, who added 17 points, while Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson each pitched in 13. Julian Champagnie rounded out the team’s dynamic performance with 11 points.
On the Thunder’s side, Alex Caruso delivered an impressive performance off the bench, scoring 31 points—the second-highest of his career. However, this wasn’t enough to maintain Oklahoma City’s nine-game playoff winning streak, which stretched back to Game 7 of last season’s Finals. Jalen Williams returned from a six-game hiatus due to a hamstring strain, contributing 26 points. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, fresh off receiving his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award, tallied 24 points and 12 assists, though he struggled with his shooting, going 7 for 23.
Alex Caruso scored 31 points, the second-highest scoring game of his career, off the bench for the Thunder — whose nine-game playoff winning streak dating to Game 7 of last season’s Finals was snapped.
Jalen Williams returned from a six-game absence caused by a hamstring strain and scored 26 points for the Thunder, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — on the night he got his second straight Most Valuable Player trophy — had 24 points and 12 assists but shot 7 for 23.
It was the sixth Game 1 in NBA playoff history to go into double overtime — the first since a Spurs-Warriors game in 2013.
And as the clock ticked toward midnight, Wembanyama decided enough was enough.
Game 2 is Wednesday at Oklahoma City.
The Spurs were up by 10 with 9:10 left in regulation, wasted it all, then survived a frantic final stretch where the lead changed hands twice and the game was tied three times in a span of less than two minutes.
Wembanyama had an off-balance chance to win it on the last play of regulation, but Chet Holmgren swatted it away.
Gilgeous-Alexander had his worst first half, shooting-wise, in nearly three years — 1 for 5 from the field, four points. It was the first time since Oct. 29, 2023, a span of 270 appearances including playoffs, that he didn’t have at least two field goals before halftime.
Meanwhile, Wembanyama was doing whatever he wanted — dunking over trios of defenders, flexing at times, finishing the half with 14 points and 10 rebounds, looking perfectly comfortable in his debut on this stage.
And the Spurs’ lead was only seven at the break, 51-44.
Gilgeous-Alexander got a couple shots to fall in the third, and the Thunder even briefly reclaimed the lead. But the Spurs were unfazed and the margin was still seven. San Antonio was ahead 80-73 going into the fourth.