Thunder take 2-1 series lead over Spurs with Game 3 win

Oklahoma City took a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference finals on May 22 with a 123-108 win over San Antonio in Game 3 at Frost Bank Center. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points, and the Thunder's bench swung the game with a 76-point night, according to NBA.com. Jaylin Williams added a playoff career-high 18 points, and Jared McCain scored 24 as Oklahoma City reclaimed home-court advantage in the series. The result put the Thunder ahead after San Antonio had opened the matchup with a double-overtime win and Oklahoma City answered in Game 2. Game 4 is set for May 24 in San Antonio, according to the NBA playoff schedule. ### How did Oklahoma City grab control of Game 3? Oklahoma City's reserves were the clearest difference in Game 3. NBA.com said the Thunder bench scored 76 points in the 15-point win, with McCain and Jaylin Williams leading the second unit's production. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still set the tone for the starters with 26 points, according to The Oklahoman's game report. The Thunder rallied past a San Antonio team led by Victor Wembanyama and kept the Spurs from turning their home game into a series edge. ### Why was Jaylin Williams singled out after the game? Jaylin Williams drew special attention in Oklahoma City's postgame coverage after scoring 18 points, a playoff career high, in Game 3. NBA.com listed Williams among the key contributors who helped the Thunder secure the 2-1 lead. The Oklahoman went further, saying "put respect on Jaylin Williams' name" after what it called a special Game 3 performance. That assessment centered on his scoring and his role in a bench group that changed the game's pace and depth. ### What did the Thunder get beyond Gilgeous-Alexander? Jared McCain gave Oklahoma City 24 points, also a playoff career high, according to NBA.com. His scoring, paired with Williams' 18, let the Thunder keep pressure on San Antonio even beyond Gilgeous-Alexander's 26. The Thunder won despite entering the game with injury questions around Jalen Williams, whom The Oklahoman said was lost in Game 2. NBA.com's Western Conference finals page said Game 3 also featured the return of De'Aaron Fox and Harper for San Antonio, making Oklahoma City's depth more significant in the result. ### Where does the series stand now? The Western Conference finals shifted back to San Antonio tied 1-1, and Oklahoma City left with a 2-1 series lead after Friday's win. NBA.com and the league's game summary both listed the Thunder as leading the series 2-1 after the 123-108 final. The series has also featured strong individual numbers on both sides. NBA.com's series page lists Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 26.7 points and 11.0 assists through three games, while Wembanyama is averaging 29.3 points and 15.0 rebounds for San Antonio. ### What is next before the series moves again? Game 4 is scheduled for May 24 at 8 p.m. ET in San Antonio, according to NBA.com. The Thunder can take a 3-1 lead with another road win, while the Spurs can tie the series before it shifts again. Game 5 is scheduled for May 26 in Oklahoma City, according to the NBA playoff schedule. The NBA Finals are set to begin June 3, ESPN's playoff schedule says.