Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bounced back from a subpar series opener to score 30 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 122-113 in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals on Wednesday night.
Alex Caruso added 17 points off the bench, while Chet Holmgren scored 13 and reserves Jared McCain and Cason Wallace each had 12. The Thunder dominated bench scoring 57-25 and held a 27-10 advantage in points off turnovers.
“I thought we all played better,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault. “I had a quiet confidence about that. I didn’t know if we’d win or lose the game, but I was pretty sure after watching Game 1 and knowing our team that we were going to come out and play better tonight.”
Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 25 points, Devin Vassell added 22, and Victor Wembanyama posted 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocks. The Thunder focused on limiting Wembanyama after his 41-point, 24-rebound performance in Game 1.
Oklahoma City lost guard Jalen Williams in the first half to a recurrence of a hamstring issue, and his availability for Game 3 is in doubt. The Spurs were already without De'Aaron Fox and lost Dylan Harper to a right leg injury in the third quarter.
