Spurs beat Thunder 122-115 in double overtime in Game 1

Victor Wembanyama opened the Western Conference finals by delivering one of the biggest playoff games of his career. The San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 in double overtime on May 18 at Paycom Center, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The game stretched into a second overtime before San Antonio pulled away, and NBA.com’s game summary listed Wembanyama with 41 points and 24 rebounds in 49 minutes — the most he has played in a game. Oklahoma City entered as the No. 1 seed, but the Spurs left with home-court advantage after winning on the road. ### How did San Antonio take Game 1 on Oklahoma City’s floor? San Antonio won the extra-session game by surviving late and then controlling the second overtime. NBA.com’s recap said Wembanyama forced the second overtime with a deep 3-pointer, and the Spurs closed out the 122-115 result from there. (nba.com) The final margin came after a game that stayed tight deep into the night. NBC Sports described the Spurs’ defense as a key factor, saying Oklahoma City struggled to free up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the half court as the game wore on. ### What exactly did Wembanyama put up? (nba.com) Wembanyama’s official line was 41 points, 24 rebounds and three blocks in 49 minutes, according to NBA.com and NBC Sports. The NBA.com game page identified it as the most minutes of his career, underscoring how much San Antonio leaned on him in his first Western Conference finals game. The box-score production matched the late-game shotmaking. (nbcsports.com) NBA.com’s live recap said Wembanyama hit the tying 3-pointer that extended the game, and Sporting News said his Game 1 performance powered San Antonio’s opening win in the series. ### What happened to Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder offense? (nba.com) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points but shot 7-for-23, NBC Sports reported, on a night when Oklahoma City could not finish off the game despite multiple chances. The same report said San Antonio’s defense “bottled up” the newly crowned MVP. (nba.com) Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 26 points, according to the NBA.com game page, while Alex Caruso added 31. Even with that support, Oklahoma City came up short in a game the Thunder had at home and that stretched across two overtimes. ### Why does the result matter beyond one night? Game 1 shifted the series immediately because San Antonio took the opener on the road. (nbcsports.com) NBA.com’s series page lists the Spurs ahead 1-0, meaning Oklahoma City now goes into Game 2 trying to avoid heading to San Antonio in a two-game hole. The matchup also opened with two 60-win teams and the conference’s top two seeds, according to USA Today’s pregame coverage. (nba.com) That made the result a significant early swing in a series already billed as one of the postseason’s marquee matchups. ### When is the next game and where can viewers find it? (nba.com) Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, at 8:30 p.m. ET in Oklahoma City, according to NBA.com’s series page and NBC’s conference finals schedule. NBC said the series is being carried on NBC and Peacock. (nba.com) (usatoday.com)