Thunder even series as Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander leads 122-113 win over Spurs

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave Oklahoma City the response it needed in Game 2. The Thunder beat the Spurs 122-113 on Wednesday night to level the Western Conference finals at 1-1 after dropping the opener in double overtime. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 30 points and nine assists, and Oklahoma City got a major lift from its bench and turnover pressure. The win came with a fresh injury concern after Jalen Williams exited early with tightness in his left hamstring and did not return. ### How did Oklahoma City change the game after the Game 1 loss? Gilgeous-Alexander was much sharper than he was in the opener. After shooting 7-for-23 in Game 1, he went 12-for-24 in Game 2 and controlled the game more consistently as Oklahoma City avoided falling into a 2-0 hole. Mark Daigneault said the difference was not one dramatic adjustment so much as a cleaner collective performance. “I thought we all played better,” the Thunder coach said after the game. Oklahoma City also created separation with its depth. The Thunder held a 57-25 advantage in bench scoring and turned Spurs mistakes into a 27-10 edge in points off turnovers. ### Which numbers best explain the Thunder win? The 57 bench points were one of the clearest indicators of how the game swung. Alex Caruso scored 17 off the bench, while Jared McCain and Cason Wallace added 12 apiece for Oklahoma City. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s nine assists mattered almost as much as his 30 points. Oklahoma City got into its offense earlier and more cleanly than it did in the series opener, when San Antonio dragged the game into extra periods. The final margin also reflected a more stable close. San Antonio stayed within range deep into the game, but Oklahoma City finished the night with enough secondary scoring to keep the Spurs from repeating their late Game 1 push. ### What happened with Jalen Williams? Jalen Williams left in the first half with tightness in his left hamstring, the same hamstring issue that had already sidelined him for six playoff games. He was later ruled out for the rest of Game 2. The timing mattered because Williams had been one of Oklahoma City’s key two-way players in the series. He scored 26 points in Game 1 and had taken on major defensive assignments as well. The injury added another layer to a series that is already becoming more physical. Reports after the game said Williams would be evaluated further, with his status for Game 3 not yet clear. ### What did San Antonio still get from its stars? San Antonio remained competitive enough to make the result feel unsettled into the later stages. Victor Wembanyama again drew heavy defensive attention, and the Spurs kept enough offensive pressure on Oklahoma City to avoid an early collapse. The Spurs also entered the game dealing with other health issues. De’Aaron Fox had been managing an ankle problem, and additional concern emerged during Game 2 around rookie Dylan Harper. Even so, San Antonio leaves Oklahoma City with the split it wanted. The Spurs took Game 1 on the road and now bring the series home tied. ### What changes now that the series shifts to Texas? Friday is the next key date. Game 3 will be played in San Antonio, with the series tied 1-1 and Williams’ availability unresolved. The immediate questions are straightforward: whether Gilgeous-Alexander can sustain the efficiency he found in Game 2, and whether Oklahoma City can keep generating bench production at the same level away from home. For San Antonio, the next step is to see which injured players are available when the Western Conference finals resume Friday.