NBA Playoffs 2026: Thunder Tie Series 1-1 with Win Over Spurs

Gilgeous-Alexander leads thunder response in game 2 win over Spurs  

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points and added 9 assists as Oklahoma City leveled the series after a physical Game 2 win at home.

Oklahoma City overcame a Spurs rally to win 122-113, setting up two road games in San Antonio with the series tied 1-1...

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander helped the Oklahoma City Thunder tie the series with San Antonio on Wednesday, as the defending NBA champions took the second Western Conference finals game 122-113.

After being limited in Monday’s game one loss to the Spurs, the league’s back-to-back Most Valuable Player responded with 30 points and nine assists.

The Thunder’s win at home evens the series at 1-1, with the next two games set for San Antonio on Friday and Saturday.

“The guys brought it tonight, knowing what it would have meant if we lost this one,” said Gilgeous-Alexander.

“We brought the energy from the jump.”

Two nights after a double-overtime game separated them, the teams with the two best regular-season records in the NBA produced another intense matchup.

After the first quarter ended tied, the Thunder pulled ahead and led by 11 points at halftime.

Gilgeous-Alexander struggled early in the previous game but came out aggressive this time, scoring consistently from mid-range from the opening tip.

His team forced 13 turnovers in the first half alone, turning them into 16 points.

Victor Wembanyama starred in game one with 41 points and 24 rebounds, but he was contained in this game. He was often matched up against Isaiah Hartenstein and faced double teams from an aggressive Thunder defense.

His teammate Stephon Castle answered with a highlight moment, leaping for a dunk over seven-foot Hartenstein that drew reactions from the crowd and players alike.

Trailing by 13 points, the Spurs rallied to tie the game midway through the third quarter. They were again without starting guard De'Aaron Fox due to a right ankle sprain.

San Antonio never managed to take the lead, as Oklahoma City absorbed the pressure.

“The guys were ready to play, (we) didn't get discouraged by the runs they made,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, after the game.

“Obviously, they're a good team, they are gonna make runs.”

In a game marked by physical play, Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams and San Antonio’s Dylan Harper both exited with injuries and did not return.

The Thunder pushed their lead further in the fourth quarter.

Gilgeous-Alexander hit another step-back jump shot, and an Alex Caruso lay-up pushed the advantage to nine points with 20 seconds left.

“We got a W, it's all you can ask for. Now we got to go on the road against a really good team and go get one,” said Gilgeous-Alexander.

THUNDER WIN GAME 2!

SERIES EVEN AT 1-1 IN THE WEST FINALS 🍿 pic.twitter.com/CTPIYigcjZ

— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2026

A disappointed Wembanyama said Gilgeous-Alexander had “made shots, but nothing that he hasn't made all season.”

“We worked on it, we just didn't apply as much,” said the Frenchman.

Oklahoma City is trying to become the first team to repeat as champions since Golden State in 2017 and 2018.

The Thunder finished with a league-best 64 regular-season wins and swept the Phoenix Suns and LeBron James’s Los Angeles Lakers in the first two playoff rounds.

heading back to OUR house for the next 2! @FrostBank | #ad pic.twitter.com/OPBE6w9ySp

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 21, 2026

 

Despite their strong regular season, the Thunder lost four of five games against the Spurs. San Antonio won 62 games and made the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

The team that wins this series will advance to face either the New York Knicks or Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.