Oklahoma City Thunder lead Spurs 2-1

Oklahoma City took a 2-1 lead 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 Thunder won on the road after splitting the first two games at home, and the league’s series page said Oklahoma City’s bench delivered a record-setting performance in the victory. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 26 points and 12 assists, while San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama scored 26 points in the loss. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday in San Antonio. ### How did Oklahoma City take control after losing Game 1? Game 1 ended with San Antonio winning 122-115 in double overtime, and Game 2 swung back to Oklahoma City in a 122-113 Thunder victory, NBA.com’s series page shows. That left Game 3 as the first game in San Antonio and the first chance for either team to take a series edge. Friday’s result gave Oklahoma City that edge. NBA.com said the Thunder led 2-1 after the 123-108 win, with the series latest item describing a bench performance that picked up Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 3. Sporting News reported San Antonio’s last lead came around the middle of the second quarter, and Oklahoma City carried a nine-point advantage into halftime. ### What was the record-setting part of the Thunder’s night? NBA.com said Oklahoma City’s bench produced a record-setting performance in Game 3, though the series page excerpt did not specify the exact category. The league paired that note with its recap headline, “Thunder bench propels OKC to Game 3 win,” and listed Jared McCain as Player of the Night for May 22. (nba.com) Sporting News’ box score showed how much of the scoring came from reserves. Jared McCain scored 22 points, Jaylin Williams added 18, Alex Caruso had 15, Cason Wallace scored 11 and Isaiah Joe added 3. Those five bench players combined for 69 points. (nba.com) ### Who carried the starting groups? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 26 points and 12 assists for Oklahoma City, according to Sporting News. Chet Holmgren added 14 points, and Isaiah Hartenstein had 5 points and 8 rebounds in 20 minutes. Lu Dort did not score but had 5 rebounds and 3 assists. (sportingnews.com) Victor Wembanyama scored 26 points for San Antonio, while De’Aaron Fox added 15 points and 7 rebounds in his return after missing the first two games, NBA.com’s series page said. Sporting News listed all five Spurs starters in double figures, including Devin Vassell, but said Oklahoma City won the main shooting categories and also finished ahead in rebounding, points in the paint and turnovers forced. (sportingnews.com) ### Why did the Thunder win without Jalen Williams? NBA.com said Jalen Williams was ruled out for Game 3, and the same series page highlighted how Oklahoma City’s reserves responded in his absence. That mattered because the Thunder did not need one replacement scorer; they got production from several bench players across the second half. (nba.com) Sporting News said Oklahoma City maintained a lead ranging from 7 to 15 points through the second half. The outlet also reported that the Thunder outshot San Antonio from the field, from 3-point range and at the foul line. (nba.com) ### What comes next in the series? Game 4 is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 24, in San Antonio, according to NBA.com’s series page. If necessary, Game 5 would be May 26 in Oklahoma City, Game 6 would be May 28 in San Antonio and Game 7 would be May 30 in Oklahoma City. The NBA said the 2026 Finals are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 3, with ABC as the exclusive broadcaster. (sportingnews.com) The league’s schedule page lists all Finals games at 8:30 p.m. ET, with Game 7, if necessary, set for June 19. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2)