Thunder take 2-1 series lead with 123-108 Game 3 win over Spurs

Oklahoma City moved back in front in the Western Conference finals with a 123-108 road win over San Antonio in Game 3 on May 23. The Thunder erased an early 15-point deficit, got 26 points and 12 assists from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and leaned on a second unit that changed the game over the final three quarters. The result gave Oklahoma City a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. It also sent the series into Game 4 with the Thunder holding home-court edge again, according to NBA.com. ### How did Oklahoma City take control after falling behind 15-0? San Antonio opened with a 15-0 burst, the longest run to start a conference finals game since the play-by-play era began in 1997, according to match reports carried by multiple outlets. Oklahoma City settled after that start, cut into the lead in the first half and then separated late as its bench kept producing fresh scoring and defense. (sportsbookwire.usatoday.com) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander steadied the Thunder offense with 26 points in 36 minutes, while Oklahoma City’s lead grew in the fourth quarter. NBA.com’s series page lists Gilgeous-Alexander as the series leader at 26.7 points and 11.0 assists per game through three games. (outlookindia.com) ### Why was the Thunder bench the defining number from Game 3? Oklahoma City’s bench scored 76 points, a franchise playoff high and the number that defined the night. ESPN reported that total was the most by any team in a conference finals or NBA Finals game since starters began being officially tracked in 1971. (sportingnews.com) Jared McCain led that group with 24 points, according to NBC Sports and NBA.com’s series page, which also labeled him the game’s player of the night. The Thunder had already outscored San Antonio’s bench by 66 points over the first two games, NBC Sports reported, and Game 3 widened that gap sharply. (nbcsports.com) ### Which players set the tone for each side? Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 26 points and 12 assists for Oklahoma City, while Victor Wembanyama scored 26 for San Antonio, according to game recaps. Devin Vassell also finished in double figures for the Spurs, and reports said all five San Antonio starters reached double digits even as Oklahoma City’s depth swung the game. (nbcsports.com) NBA.com’s series page said Oklahoma City was without Jalen Williams in Game 3, making the bench output more important in a road game. The same page highlighted Isaiah Hartenstein’s work guarding Wembanyama as part of the Thunder’s Game 3 response. ### What changed in the series after two close opening games? The first two games produced a split, with San Antonio taking Game 1 in double overtime before Oklahoma City answered in Game 2. (sportsbookwire.usatoday.com) Game 3 was the first clear separation on the scoreboard, and it put the Thunder ahead 2-1 instead of sending the Spurs home with control of the series. (nba.com) NBA.com’s series page lists Oklahoma City averaging 120.0 points through three games against San Antonio’s 114.3. The Thunder’s edge in guard play and bench scoring has shown up repeatedly, while San Antonio has continued to get major production from Wembanyama. ### When is the next game and where can viewers find it? Game 4 is scheduled for May 24 at 8 p.m. (nba.com) ET in San Antonio, according to NBA.com’s playoff series page. NBA.com lists NBC and Peacock as the broadcasters for the next game, with Game 5 set for May 26 in Oklahoma City if the schedule holds.