Thunder take 2-1 Western Conference series lead with 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 in Game 3 on Friday, May 22, according to NBA.com. Jared McCain scored a playoff career-high 24 points off the bench, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 26 points and 12 assists as the Thunder recovered from the split in Oklahoma City. The result put the defending champions back in front in the series after San Antonio won the opener in double overtime. NBA.com said the Thunder also set a franchise playoff mark with 76 bench points in the victory. ### How did Oklahoma City swing Game 3? Oklahoma City’s second unit decided the game. NBA.com said the Thunder bench outscored San Antonio’s reserves 76-23, with Jaylin Williams scoring a playoff career-high 18 points, Alex Caruso adding 15 and Cason Wallace scoring 11 alongside McCain’s 24. (nba.com) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave Oklahoma City its usual offensive control. NBA.com credited him with 26 points and 12 assists, while the Thunder overcame the absence of Jalen Williams, who missed his seventh full postseason game with a hamstring injury. ### Why was Jared McCain the standout name? (nba.com) Jared McCain delivered the biggest individual bench performance of the night. NBA.com said his 24 points were a playoff career high and made him, alongside James Harden, one of only two Thunder players to score 20 or more bench points in a postseason game before turning 23. (nba.com) The Athletic’s briefing described McCain as having “erupted” as Oklahoma City absorbed San Antonio’s early push and took control of the series. NBA.com’s game recap matched that theme by naming McCain and Jaylin Williams as the key reserve scorers behind the Thunder’s bench surge. (nba.com) ### What did San Antonio get, and what did it miss? San Antonio got De’Aaron Fox back. NBA.com said Fox, playing after missing Games 1 and 2, finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists in 31 minutes after entering Game 3 listed as questionable with an ankle issue. Dylan Harper, also listed as questionable with an adductor injury, was available as well. (nba.com) The Spurs still gave up too much scoring depth. NBA.com said Oklahoma City’s bench now owns a plus-119 scoring differential through three games of the series, a number that has become one of the clearest statistical edges in the matchup. ### How much does a 2-1 lead matter in this spot? (nba.com) NBA.com attached historical weight to the result. Its live recap said the team that wins Game 3 of a best-of-seven series tied 1-1 has gone on to win the series 73.2% of the time. The series itself has still been competitive. (nba.com) NBA.com’s playoff schedule shows San Antonio won Game 1, 122-115 in double overtime, before Oklahoma City answered with wins of 122-113 in Game 2 and 123-108 in Game 3. ### When is the next game? Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, at 8 p.m. ET in San Antonio, according to the NBA’s official playoff schedule. (nba.com) NBA.com lists NBC and Peacock as the broadcasters, with Game 5 set for Tuesday, May 26, in Oklahoma City if the series continues on schedule. (nba.com)