Thunder even Western Conference series 1–1 with Game 2 win over Spurs

Oklahoma City tied the Western Conference finals on Wednesday night by beating San Antonio 122-113 in Game 2 at Paycom Center. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points and added nine assists as the Thunder responded after losing the opener in double overtime. Alex Caruso scored 17 off the bench, and Oklahoma City finished with a 57-25 edge in bench points. The series now shifts to San Antonio for Game 3 on Friday. ### How did Oklahoma City change the game after losing the opener? Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set the tone early after what the Associated Press described as a subpar Game 1, and Oklahoma City’s supporting cast followed. Chet Holmgren scored 13 points, while reserves Jared McCain and Cason Wallace added 12 apiece. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said, “I thought we all played better,” after the win. (cbssports.com) The Thunder’s pressure defense showed up in the turnover column. Fox Sports’ box score listed San Antonio with 21 turnovers and Oklahoma City with nine, and the Thunder converted those mistakes into a 27-10 advantage in points off turnovers. That gave Oklahoma City separation even though San Antonio shot 48.8% from the field and made 16 three-pointers. (cbssports.com) ### What did Gilgeous-Alexander do differently in Game 2? Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 30 points and had nine assists as Oklahoma City evened the series. The Athletic’s live coverage said he powered the Thunder to the win, and AP reported that he said the team understood the stakes of falling behind 2-0. “Knowing what it would have meant if we lost this one, we brought the energy from the jump,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. (foxsports.com) Isaiah Hartenstein also gave Oklahoma City a different look. After barely playing in Game 1, he had 10 points and 13 rebounds in Game 2, according to AP, while The Athletic said he also provided strong defense on Victor Wembanyama. ### How much did San Antonio still get from Wembanyama and the Spurs? (nytimes.com) Victor Wembanyama posted 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocks for San Antonio, and Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 25 points. Devin Vassell added 22. Those numbers kept the game competitive, but San Antonio’s ball security problems and thinner guard rotation made it harder to close. (cbssports.com) Mitch Johnson said after the game that injuries added “a ton” of pressure when San Antonio was already facing one of the league’s best turnover-forcing teams. AP reported that De’Aaron Fox was already out because of ankle soreness, and replacement starter Dylan Harper left after awkward falls in the third quarter with a right leg injury. (cbssports.com) ### What is the Jalen Williams situation now? Jalen Williams left in the first half after what the Thunder called left hamstring tightness. AP reported that Williams had already missed six playoff games with a left hamstring strain and that the recurrence put his availability for Friday into doubt. (cbssports.com) The Athletic’s live report went further, saying Williams was out for the remainder after exiting Game 2. Based on that report, the immediate focus shifts to how Oklahoma City replaces one of its primary two-way wings as the series moves to San Antonio. (cbssports.com) ### What comes next in the series? Game 3 is scheduled for Friday, May 22, at 8:30 p.m. ET at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, according to NBC Sports. NBC said Mike Tirico, Reggie Miller, Jamal Crawford, Zora Stephenson and Ashley ShahAhmadi are set for the broadcast, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday, May 24. (nbcsports.com) (nytimes.com)