Thunder takes 3-2 series lead after victory over Spurs in Game 5 of Western Conference finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder moved wrong 1 triumph of returning to the title signifier pursuing a 127-114 triumph implicit the San Antonio Spurs connected Tuesday night. The triumph breaks a postseason deadlock, giving the Thunder a 3-2 borderline successful the Western Conference finals.

OKC bounced backmost successful a large mode aft being held to conscionable 82 points successful their Game 4 loss. This clip around, they matched that full scoring output earlier the midpoint of the 3rd quarter. Dealing with a depleted backcourt owed to injuries to Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City relied heavy connected its depth. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander anchored the offense, pouring successful a game-high 32 points alongside 9 assists. Alex Caruso sparked the 2nd portion with a important 22-point performance. Jared McCain stepped up exceptionally good successful his first-ever playoff start, chipping successful 20 points. Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein dominated the interior, some signaling double-doubles. Holmgren grabbed 11 rebounds to spell with 16 points, portion Hartenstein cleaned up the solid with 15 boards and 12 points.

San Antonio struggled to find their bushed from deep, missing 29 of their 41 long-range attempts. Rookie Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 24 points, Julian Champagnie added 22, and Victor Wembanyama contributed 20 points but was disrupted by OKC’s defense, shooting conscionable 4-of-15 from the floor. The Spurs managed to portion a 20-point shortage down to 8 precocious successful the 3rd quarter, but momentum stalled amid respective contentious, unreviewable whistles that near San Antonio frustrated.

Looking ahead, the series present shifts backmost to Texas for Game 6 connected Thursday. If San Antonio tin support their location level and unit a deciding Game 7, the last showdown volition instrumentality spot successful Oklahoma City connected Saturday. The eventual victor of this matchup volition look the New York Knicks successful the NBA Finals starting June 3.

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