OKLAHOMA CITY : Shai Gilgeous-Alexander overcame a slow start to score 32 points and lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 127-114 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, giving Oklahoma City a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals.
The Thunder can clinch the series in Game 6 on Thursday in San Antonio.
Gilgeous-Alexander missed his first four shots and committed three turnovers in the opening quarter before finding his rhythm, scoring 12 points in the second quarter and 11 more in the third while also adding nine assists.
“If it was four or five me’s out there, we would’ve been down 20 after the first quarter,” the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player said.
Coach Mark Daigneault praised his team’s response after Sunday’s heavy Game 4 defeat.
Rookie Jared McCain impressed in his first playoff start, scoring 20 points, including 18 after halftime. Alex Caruso added 22 points, six assists and three steals, while Chet Holmgren recorded 16 points and 11 rebounds.
San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama was limited to 20 points on 4-of-15 shooting, while rookie Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 24 points.
Oklahoma City seized control with a 40-point second quarter and opened the third with a 9-0 run before holding off repeated Spurs rallies late in the game.
