OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Victor Wembanyama delivered a historic performance with 41 points and 24 rebounds, Dylan Harper added 24 points and a team playoff-record seven steals, and the San Antonio Spurs outlasted the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 in a double-overtime thriller to open the Western Conference finals Monday night.
Spurs Steal Home-Court Advantage
Wembanyama sealed the victory with a pair of dunks in the final minute, one of which led to a three-point play, as the Spurs secured home-court advantage and improved to 5-1 against the Thunder this season. Stephon Castle contributed 17 points, while Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson each scored 13, and Julian Champagnie added 11. San Antonio played without De'Aaron Fox due to ankle stiffness.
Thunder's Winning Streak Snapped
Alex Caruso scored a season-high 31 points off the bench for Oklahoma City, which saw its nine-game playoff winning streak — dating back to Game 7 of last season's Finals — come to an end. Jalen Williams returned from a six-game absence due to a hamstring strain and scored 26 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who received his second straight MVP trophy before the game, had 24 points and 12 assists but shot just 7-for-23 from the field.
The game was the sixth in NBA playoff history to go into double overtime, the first since a Spurs-Warriors contest in 2013. With the clock approaching midnight, Wembanyama took over to secure the win.
Key Moments
The Spurs led by 10 with 9:10 left in regulation but squandered the advantage. The final stretch saw the lead change hands twice and the game tied three times in under two minutes. Wembanyama had an off-balance attempt to win at the end of regulation, but Chet Holmgren blocked it.
Gilgeous-Alexander struggled early, shooting 1-for-5 for four points in the first half — his worst shooting half in nearly three years. It was the first time since Oct. 29, 2023, over 270 appearances including playoffs, that he didn't have at least two field goals before halftime.
Meanwhile, Wembanyama dominated, dunking over multiple defenders and flexing as he finished the half with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Spurs led 51-44 at the break.
Gilgeous-Alexander found his rhythm in the third quarter, and the Thunder briefly reclaimed the lead, but San Antonio remained composed and led 80-73 entering the fourth.
Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
