NBA Playoffs 2026: Thunder Down Spurs as SGA Sends Oklahoma City to 1-1 Tie

Reigning Western Conference champions the Oklahoma City Thunder quickly bounced back from their Game 1 defeat by beating the San Antonio Spurs 122-113 in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Western Conference Finals at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Thursday (21 May) WIB. The result has the series tied at 1-1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dominated for the Thunder after a difficult Game 1, finishing with 30 points and nine assists. ‘The guys were brilliant tonight, we know what it means if we lose this game. We brought big energy from the start,’ Gilgeous-Alexander said, as quoted by AFP. The Thunder began with intense defence, forcing 13 turnovers by the Spurs in the first half and turning them into 16 points to take an 11-point lead into the break. While Victor Wembanyama scored 41 points in Game 1, the French rookie found it tougher this time as the Thunder repeatedly doubled him with Isaiah Hartenstein anchoring the defence. Despite the effort, the Spurs resisted and even saw De’Aaron Fox sidelined with an ankle injury. Rookie Stephon Castle also produced a memorable dunk for the home crowd. The Spurs briefly rallied from a 13-point deficit and levelled the score midway through the third quarter, but the Thunder regained control entering the final period. The game was physical and both sides took their toll, with Thunder forward Jalen Williams and Spurs youngster Dylan Harper leaving the floor early and not returning. In the fourth quarter, the Thunder sealed the win with a step-back jumper by Gilgeous-Alexander and a lay-up by Alex Caruso in the final 20 seconds. ‘We got the win, that’s what matters most. Now we have to head on the road to a very good team and try to steal one there,’ Gilgeous-Alexander said. Wembanyama admitted his side failed to execute the plan to stop SGA: ‘He hit the shots he usually makes all season. We practiced how to anticipate it, but we didn’t apply it well enough on the floor.’ The Western Conference Finals will continue with Games 3 and 4 at the Spurs’ home on Friday and Saturday. (H-2)