Thunder beat Spurs in Game 3, take 2-1 Western Conference semifinal lead

Oklahoma City took back control of the Western Conference finals on May 22 with a 123-108 road win over San Antonio in Game 3. The result gave the Thunder a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series after the Spurs won a double-overtime opener, 122-115, before Oklahoma City answered in Game 2 and then again on the road in Game 3. NBA.com said the Thunder's bench produced a record-setting performance in the win, helping Oklahoma City leave San Antonio with home-court advantage restored. ### How did the series get to 2-1? San Antonio opened the series by beating Oklahoma City 122-115 in double overtime in Game 1. Oklahoma City then evened the matchup in Game 2 before winning Game 3, 123-108, to move in front for the first time in the series. NBA.com's series page lists the Thunder ahead 2-1 entering Game 4. May 22 was the swing night because it was the first game of the series in San Antonio and the first chance for the Spurs to reclaim momentum after losing Game 2. (nba.com) Instead, Oklahoma City won by 15 points and moved within two victories of the NBA Finals. ### What decided Game 3 in San Antonio? NBA.com said Oklahoma City's bench picked up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 3 and described the reserve output as record-setting. (nba.com) The league's live recap said Jaylin Williams and Jared McCain each scored playoff career highs as the Thunder pulled away for the 123-108 victory. The 123 points were Oklahoma City's highest total of the series after scoring 115 in the Game 1 loss and 122 in the Game 2 win. Through three games, the Thunder are averaging 120.0 points per game in the series, compared with 114.3 for San Antonio, according to NBA.com. ### What do the series numbers look like now? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 26.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 11.0 assists through three games, according to NBA.com's series leaders. (nba.com) Victor Wembanyama is averaging 29.3 points, 15.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists for San Antonio. NBA.com's series page also shows San Antonio with the edge in rebounds, 47.7 to 40.7, while Oklahoma City holds the advantage in assists, 29.3 to 24.3. (nba.com) Those numbers match the shape of the first three games: San Antonio has gotten major production from Wembanyama, while Oklahoma City's offense has generated more playmaking across the lineup. That reading is an inference from the series statistics. ### Why does Game 4 matter so much for San Antonio? Game 4 is scheduled for May 24 at 8 p.m. ET in San Antonio, according to NBA.com. A Spurs win would tie the series 2-2 before it returns to Oklahoma City for Game 5 on May 26. A Thunder win would put Oklahoma City ahead 3-1 and one victory from ending the series. The schedule now runs every other day if the series continues. (nba.com) NBA.com lists Game 5 for May 26 in Oklahoma City, Game 6 for May 28 in San Antonio if necessary, and Game 7 for May 30 in Oklahoma City if necessary. ### What should readers watch next? May 24 is the next checkpoint because it will show whether San Antonio can answer at home after dropping Game 3. (nba.com) NBA.com lists the game as Thunder at Spurs, with Oklahoma City leading 2-1. If the series goes the distance, Game 7 is set for May 30 in Oklahoma City.