Thunder lead Spurs 2-1 series

Oklahoma City moved back in front in the Western Conference finals with a 123-108 win over San Antonio in Game 3 on Friday, May 22, according to NBA.com. The result gave the Thunder a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after the Spurs had opened the matchup with a road win and Oklahoma City answered in Game 2. Jared McCain was central to the shift in Game 3. NBA.com said McCain and Jaylin Williams each posted playoff career highs in scoring as Oklahoma City absorbed San Antonio’s fast start and then took control. ### How did Oklahoma City flip a game San Antonio started well? San Antonio opened Game 3 at Frost Bank Center with the early edge, but Oklahoma City’s bench changed the pace of the game, according to NBA.com. The league’s Game 3 recap said the Thunder “dominate[d]” after that opening stretch and rode their reserves to a double-digit win. Jared McCain’s scoring burst gave Oklahoma City a second creator beyond its usual core. NBA.com’s playoff page highlighted McCain’s impact “at the perfect time,” while The Athletic described him as having “erupted” in the Game 3 win referenced in the series coverage. ### Why does McCain’s night stand out inside this series? NBA.com said McCain and Jaylin Williams both reached playoff career highs in scoring in Game 3. (nba.com) That mattered because Oklahoma City had already shown in the first two games that it could get production from its regular stars; Game 3 added proof that its supporting group could swing a conference finals game on the road. Jaylin Williams’ scoring night also widened the pressure on San Antonio’s defense. NBA.com’s series page framed the Thunder bench as the key reason Oklahoma City left San Antonio with the series lead, and the Game 3 summary listed the final margin at 15 points. ### What does the 2-1 score actually tell us now? The official NBA playoff series page lists Oklahoma City as leading San Antonio 2-1 in the Western Conference finals. (nba.com) That means the Thunder have reclaimed home-court advantage in the series after winning once on the road, and San Antonio now enters Game 4 trying to avoid a 3-1 deficit. (nba.com) The broader playoff bracket on ESPN also shows Oklahoma City in front in the matchup, though the NBA’s own series page is the cleaner source for the live series status and upcoming game information. ### When is Game 4, and where is it being played? Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, at 8 p.m. ET, according to the NBA’s playoff series listing. (api-hub.nba.com) The game is set for San Antonio and will air on NBC and Peacock, the NBA page says. NBC’s series schedule says the Western Conference finals run from May 18 to May 30 if needed. (espn.com) That leaves San Antonio with another home game immediately after the Game 3 loss and gives Oklahoma City a chance to take a two-game cushion before the series shifts again. ### Where can readers track the series from here? (api-hub.nba.com) NBA.com’s Western Conference finals hub is carrying the series recaps, video and game pages for Thunder-Spurs. ESPN’s playoff pages are also tracking the bracket, scores and schedule across both conference finals. Sunday’s next milestone is Game 4 in San Antonio at 8 p.m. ET, with Oklahoma City seeking a 3-1 lead and the Spurs trying to even the series at two games apiece. (nbc.com) (api-hub.nba.com) (nba.com)