Thunder even Western Conference finals 1-1 with Game 2 win over Spurs

Oklahoma City answered one game after losing a double-overtime opener. The Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 122-113 on Wednesday night at Paycom Center, tying the Western Conference finals at 1-1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points and added nine assists, and seven Thunder players finished in double figures. The series now shifts to San Antonio for Game 3 on Friday. ### How did Oklahoma City respond after losing Game 1? The Thunder took the lead late in the first quarter and held it for most of the night, according to NBA.com. Oklahoma City used pressure defense to disrupt San Antonio’s offense and avoided the late collapse that defined its Game 1 loss. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander closed the game with a late jumper and steadied the Thunder in the final minutes. “The guys brought it tonight, knowing what it would have meant if we lost this one. We brought the energy from the jump,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, according to NBA.com. (nba.com) ### Which numbers told the story in Game 2? Oklahoma City forced 21 Spurs turnovers and converted them into a 27-10 edge in points off turnovers, NBA.com said. That was the clearest statistical difference in a game San Antonio remained within reach of into the fourth quarter. (nba.com) Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 30 points and nine assists, while Alex Caruso scored 17 points on seven shots. Isaiah Hartenstein added 10 points and 13 rebounds in 27 minutes after playing 12 minutes in Game 1, according to NBA.com. ### What did San Antonio still get from Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle? (nba.com) Victor Wembanyama posted 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocks for San Antonio. Stephon Castle added 25 points, five rebounds and eight assists, but NBA.com said Castle also committed nine turnovers. (nba.com) San Antonio had taken Game 1, 122-115 in double overtime, behind a 41-point, 24-rebound performance from Wembanyama, according to CBS Sports. The split means the Spurs leave Oklahoma City with the series tied after stealing home-court advantage in the opener. ### What did Thunder coach Mark Daigneault say changed? (nba.com) Mark Daigneault pointed to the Thunder’s game flow after the win. “I just thought the overall flow, rhythm, was really good,” Daigneault said, according to NBA.com. NBA.com described Oklahoma City’s defense as pressure-based and credited the Thunder with harassing the Spurs into mistakes. (cbssports.com) The official recap said the defending champions had shown their “mettle” with the response in Game 2. ### Why does the venue matter now? (nba.com) ESPN’s playoff format page says the NBA uses a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with the team holding the better regular-season record hosting Games 1, 2, 5 and 7. Oklahoma City, as the higher seed, opened the series at home and will host again only if the series returns for Game 5. (nba.com) CBS Sports’ schedule lists Game 3 for Friday, May 22, in San Antonio at 8:30 p.m. ET, with Game 4 set for Sunday, May 24. NBA.com’s Western Conference finals page and game recap also list Friday’s game on NBC and Peacock. ### What comes next in the series? Game 3 will be played Friday, May 22, in San Antonio, with Game 4 there on Sunday, May 24, according to CBS Sports. (espn.com) If the series extends, Game 5 is scheduled for May 26 in Oklahoma City, Game 6 for May 28 in San Antonio and Game 7 for May 30 back in Oklahoma City. (cbssports.com)