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

Oklahoma City took control of the Western Conference finals on May 23 with a 123-108 road win over San Antonio in Game 3, pushing the Thunder ahead 2-1 in the series. The Thunder recovered after falling behind 15-0 in the opening minutes at Frost Bank Center, then turned the game with a bench surge that produced a franchise postseason record 76 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 26 points in 36 minutes, while reserve guard Jared McCain added 24 points, according to Sporting News and NBA.com. Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with 26 points as all five Spurs starters finished in double figures. ### How did Oklahoma City flip a game that started 15-0 for San Antonio? San Antonio opened with a 15-0 run and led 19-4 five minutes into the game, according to Yahoo Sports' live recap. Oklahoma City answered by stabilizing the game through its second unit and erased the early gap before pulling away later in the night. (sportingnews.com) The 123-108 final reflected a game that swung once Oklahoma City's reserves began scoring in volume. Sporting News said the Thunder got a franchise-high 76 bench points, while The Oklahoman reported that total also set a conference finals record and came in a 76-23 bench scoring advantage over San Antonio. (sports.yahoo.com) ### Which Thunder players drove the win? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 26 points, and Jared McCain scored 24 off the bench for Oklahoma City. NBA.com said Jaylin Williams and McCain both posted playoff career highs in scoring in the Game 3 win. (sportingnews.com) Four Oklahoma City reserves scored in double figures, The Oklahoman reported, underscoring how much of the offense came from the second unit rather than the starting group alone. NBA.com described the performance as a record-setting bench effort that helped the Thunder secure the road win and the series edge. (sportingnews.com) ### What did San Antonio get from Victor Wembanyama and the starters? Victor Wembanyama scored 26 points for San Antonio in the loss, according to Sporting News. The same report said all five Spurs starters finished in double figures, but the team's bench production lagged far behind Oklahoma City's. (oklahoman.com) The Spurs had entered Game 3 back on their home floor with the series tied 1-1. Basketball-Reference's series page now lists Oklahoma City ahead 2-1 in the best-of-seven matchup after the Thunder's Game 3 win. ### Why does the bench number stand out so much? The number 76 is the clearest statistical marker from Game 3. (sportingnews.com) Sporting News called it a franchise postseason high for Oklahoma City's bench, and The Oklahoman said it was a conference finals record. (basketball-reference.com) NBA.com's playoff coverage said the Thunder's bench picked up Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 3 and described the outing as a record-setting performance on the road. That gave Oklahoma City a different scoring profile than in the first two games of the series, when the matchup had been split 1-1. ### When do the teams play next? Game 4 is scheduled for May 25 in San Antonio, with the series remaining at Frost Bank Center. (sportingnews.com) NBA.com's Western Conference finals series page lists Oklahoma City leading 2-1 and shows Game 4 as the next matchup before the series shifts again. The winner of the series will advance to the NBA Finals, which ESPN's playoff schedule says are set to begin on June 3. (nba.com) For now, Oklahoma City returns to the floor in Game 4 with a one-game lead, and San Antonio will try to even the series on its home court. (basketball-reference.com) (nba.com)