Thunder even Western Conference Finals with 122-113 win over Spurs behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30 points [VIDEO]
Oklahoma City forced 21 turnovers and got 57 bench points to bounce back after losing Game 1 in double overtime
The Oklahoma City Thunder evened the Western Conference Finals at 1-1 last night, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 122-113 at Paycom Center. The win came after the Spurs took Game 1 in double overtime, 122-115, two nights earlier.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rebounded from a subpar Game 1 shooting performance (7-of-23), finishing with 30 points on 12-of-24 shooting (0-of-3 from three), 9 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 38 minutes. He rediscovered his mid-range rhythm in Game 2, leading a Thunder offense that tallied 34 assists while forcing 21 Spurs turnovers.
Oklahoma City led for approximately 80 percent of the contest. They built a 62-51 halftime lead with a dominant 31-20 second-quarter edge. San Antonio cut the deficit to five points with 1:25 left in the fourth, but SGA answered with a key basket, and the Thunder closed out the victory.
OKC’s Bench Outscored San Antonio’s Reserves 57-25
The Thunder’s depth was the defining story of Game 2. Alex Caruso led the bench unit with 17 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range, while adding 5 assists and 3 rebounds in 25 minutes. Cason Wallace provided strong two-way play with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting — all from beyond the arc — along with 6 rebounds and 4 steals. Jared McCain chipped in 12 points and 6 assists, helping the reserves dominate the second unit matchup.
Isaiah Hartenstein delivered a strong starting performance with 10 points and 13 rebounds, including 8 offensive boards, in 27 minutes. His physical presence on the glass and disciplined defense against Victor Wembanyama played a major role in limiting the Spurs’ superstar to 21 points and 17 rebounds — a solid stat line, but a noticeable step down from his Game 1 explosion of 41 points and 24 rebounds. Chet Holmgren added 13 points and 4 rebounds, contributing to Oklahoma City’s control of the paint.
Seven Thunder players reached double figures in the victory. By contrast, San Antonio’s bench managed only 25 points for the entire game, with Keldon Johnson providing 10 of those. This 57-25 bench disparity proved insurmountable for the Spurs and allowed Oklahoma City to maintain their lead even when their starters rested.
San Antonio’s Turnover Problem Continued From Game 1
The Spurs committed 21 turnovers in Game 2, which the Thunder converted into 27 points. Oklahoma City, by comparison, committed just 9 turnovers. This 12-turnover differential proved to be the single largest factor in the game. Even though San Antonio shot efficiently from the field (49 percent) and from three-point range (40 percent), they could not overcome their repeated mistakes and live-ball opportunities handed to Oklahoma City.
Stephon Castle struggled significantly with ball security. He posted 25 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds but committed 9 turnovers in 38 minutes — his second straight game with major ball-handling issues. After recording 11 turnovers in Game 1, Castle now sits at 20 turnovers through the first two games of the series, placing heavy pressure on the young guard against Oklahoma City’s aggressive perimeter defense.
Devin Vassell provided San Antonio’s most consistent perimeter scoring with 22 points on 7-of-14 shooting, including 6-of-12 from three-point range. Victor Wembanyama contributed 21 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks in 37 minutes. Dylan Harper added 12 points before exiting with a right leg injury in the third quarter. The Spurs were already shorthanded, as De’Aaron Fox missed both games in Oklahoma City with ongoing ankle soreness.
Jalen Williams Exits Early With Hamstring Flare-Up
The Thunder’s injury concerns intensified when Jalen Williams exited after just 7 minutes due to a recurrence of his left hamstring issue. Williams had entered the series as questionable after missing time in the previous round. His availability for Game 3 remains uncertain and could force Oklahoma City to lean even more heavily on its bench depth.
Harper’s leg injury compounded San Antonio’s backcourt problems. The Spurs were already missing De’Aaron Fox due to ankle soreness, and Harper’s departure in the third quarter placed greater ball-handling demands on Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell. Castle’s high turnover total in this game was a direct reflection of that increased usage against Oklahoma City’s relentless perimeter pressure.
Oklahoma City’s ball movement stood out as a major strength. The Thunder finished with 34 assists — tied for the second-highest single-game total by any team in the 2026 postseason. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander orchestrated the offense effectively, while the bench unit moved the ball with precision, generating open looks and minimizing live-ball turnovers that could have fueled San Antonio’s transition game.
Thunder Bounce-Back and Castle’s Turnovers Cause Mass Eruption on X
The final-score announcement on X drew heavy engagement, with fans zeroing in on Oklahoma City’s dominant response and Stephon Castle’s ball-handling woes. Reactions highlighted the 21 turnovers and Thunder bench explosion, capturing the game’s key storylines in real time. Early in Game 2, Stephon Castle had a huge moment with his dunk on Isaiah Hartenstein.
Spurs supporters voiced frustration over the backcourt injuries and ongoing mistakes. Many noted the absence of De’Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper’s early exit, and Castle’s 20 combined turnovers through two games, with several calling the situation unsustainable against Oklahoma City’s defense. Others pointed out that Victor Wembanyama’s 21-point, 17-rebound effort still felt relatively quiet after his Game 1 masterpiece.
Thunder fans celebrated Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s strong rebound performance and the team’s depth. Posts praised his mid-range mastery after Game 1 criticism, while others highlighted Isaiah Hartenstein’s rebounding and defensive contributions against Wembanyama. The conversation quickly shifted to the series moving to San Antonio, with both sides acknowledging the growing injury impact heading into Game 3.
Series Shifts to San Antonio for Pivotal Game 3
The Western Conference Finals return to San Antonio for Game 3 on Friday, May 22, with the series tied 1-1. The Spurs will host at Frost Bank Center, aiming to reclaim home-court advantage after splitting the first two games on the road. San Antonio remains perfect at home in the 2026 playoffs, having won all six of its home contests this postseason.
Oklahoma City must carefully manage Jalen Williams’ recurring left hamstring issue, which could sideline him or severely limit his minutes. Meanwhile, the Spurs face mounting pressure to fix their turnover woes that have plagued them across the first two games. Stephon Castle alone has committed 20 turnovers in just 76 minutes against Oklahoma City’s defense — a pace that is simply not sustainable in a conference finals series.
The Thunder have already proven they can win on the road, while the Spurs have yet to lose at home. Something will have to give in Game 3. With both teams battling key injuries and the series knotted at 1-1, the Western Conference Finals are hitting a critical stretch.
Conclusion: Thunder Tie the Series as Injuries Mount
The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 122-113 in Game 2, evening the Western Conference Finals at 1-1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 30 points, while the Thunder bench delivered a massive 57 points. San Antonio committed 21 turnovers, including 9 from Stephon Castle, which proved decisive despite efficient shooting.
The Spurs were already shorthanded without De’Aaron Fox and lost Dylan Harper to a leg injury during the game. Victor Wembanyama posted 21 points and 17 rebounds — a strong performance that still felt relatively quiet compared to his 41-point, 24-rebound Game 1 masterpiece. Oklahoma City’s superior depth and defensive pressure ultimately made the difference.
Game 3 is set for Friday night in San Antonio. The Spurs have yet to lose at home this postseason, while the Thunder have already shown they can steal road wins. With the series tied 1-1 and injuries piling up on both sides, whoever claims Game 3 will carry the momentum. The Western Conference Finals are just getting started.