Thunder go up 2-1 after Game 3 win over Spurs

Oklahoma City took a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference finals with a 123-108 win over San Antonio on Friday night, sending the series back to Game 4 with the Thunder in front. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 26 points and 12 assists, and the Thunder recovered after falling behind by 15 points in the opening minutes. (apnews.com) The result gave Oklahoma City its first lead of the series after San Antonio won Game 1 in double overtime and the Thunder answered in Game 2. ### How did Oklahoma City take control after the bad start? San Antonio opened Game 3 with a 15-point lead, but Oklahoma City erased it and outscored the Spurs the rest of the way. (nba.com) The Thunder finished with a 15-point victory after turning an early hole into a game they controlled by the second half. The Thunder’s second unit changed the game. NBA.com said Oklahoma City’s bench scored 76 points, with Jared McCain scoring 24 and Jaylin Williams adding 18. That production gave Oklahoma City scoring beyond Gilgeous-Alexander as the series shifted to San Antonio. (apnews.com) ### What did Gilgeous-Alexander do in Game 3? Gilgeous-Alexander posted 26 points and 12 assists in 36 minutes, according to box-score and game reports. The Thunder guard also went 12-for-12 from the free-throw line, helping Oklahoma City steady itself after the early deficit. (apnews.com) Across the first three games, NBA.com lists Gilgeous-Alexander as averaging 26.7 points and 11.0 assists in the series. Those numbers have made him Oklahoma City’s main organizer as the matchup has moved between high-scoring finishes and late-game swings. (nba.com) ### How has the series moved through three games? San Antonio won Game 1 by a 122-115 score in double overtime on May 18 before Oklahoma City answered with a 122-113 win in Game 2 on May 20. Friday’s 123-108 result put the Thunder ahead 2-1 for the first time in the series. The series averages on NBA.com show Oklahoma City at 120.0 points per game through three contests and San Antonio at 114.3. (apnews.com) Victor Wembanyama is listed as San Antonio’s scoring leader at 29.3 points per game and 15.0 rebounds per game in the series. ### Did anything else stand out for San Antonio? De’Aaron Fox exited in the third quarter on Friday, according to The Oklahoman’s live game coverage. (nba.com) The report said Fox limped off during Game 3, though the immediate effect on his availability for Game 4 was not clear in the reports reviewed. San Antonio still has home court for the next game. KSAT’s schedule report said Games 3 and 4 were set for the Alamo City after the series opened in Oklahoma City. (nba.com) ### When is Game 4 and where can viewers watch? Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, at 8:00 p.m. ET at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. NBA.com’s series page lists NBC and Peacock as the broadcasters, and NBC’s schedule page says the network and Peacock are carrying the full Western Conference finals. Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, in Oklahoma City if the series continues on its current calendar, followed by a potential Game 6 on May 28 in San Antonio and a potential Game 7 on May 30 in Oklahoma City. (oklahoman.com) (nba.com) (ksat.com)