OKLAHOMA City Thunder moved to the brink of an NBA Finals return after defeating San Antonio Spurs, 127-114, in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday night (Wednesday in the Philippines) at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander powered the Thunder with 32 points, while veteran guard Alex Caruso provided a major spark off the bench with 22 markers for Oklahoma City.
The defending NBA champions also received a big lift from Filipino-American guard Jared McCain, who delivered 20 points in his first playoff start after Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell were sidelined.
Chet Holmgren finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Isaiah Hartenstein added a double-double of 12 points and 15 boards for the Thunder, which grabbed a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Oklahoma City seized control in the second quarter after erupting for 40 points to establish momentum that carried through the remainder of the contest. The lead was stretched to 20 points in the third quarter before San Antonio rallied to within eight late in the period.
Oklahoma City entered the fourth quarter ahead, 101-91, and maintained control the rest of the way courtesy of key conversions from Hartenstein, McCain, and Gilgeous-Alexander.
San Antonio leaned on Stephon Castle, who scored 24 points, while Julian Champagnie chipped in 22 markers. Victor Wembanyama added 20 points but struggled from the field, converting only four of his 15 attempts.
Keldon Johnson also contributed 15 points off the bench for the Spurs, who had difficulty from long range after missing 29 of their 41 three-point attempts.
Game 6 is set for Thursday (Friday in the Philippines) in San Antonio, where the Spurs will try to force a deciding Game 7. If necessary, the final game of the series will return to Oklahoma City on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines).
The winner of the Western Conference finals will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals beginning June 3 (June 4 in the Philippines). The Knicks reached the finals after sweeping Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-0./PN
