Oklahoma City defeated San Antonio 122-113 to even the Western Conference finals 1-1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points and added nine assists after being kept in check in the previous game. The Thunder built an 11-point halftime lead following a tied first quarter and generated 13 first-half turnovers that produced 16 points. Victor Wembanyama was stifled by Isaiah Hartenstein and frequent double-teams from aggressive Oklahoma City defense. Stephon Castle provided a highlight with a dunk over Hartenstein. San Antonio rallied from 13 points down to tie midway through the third, but Oklahoma City absorbed the pressure and maintained control. De'Aaron Fox missed the game again with a right ankle sprain.
"Having been largely kept in check in their Game 1 loss to the Spurs, the league's back-to-back Most Valuable Player scored 30 points and provided nine assists to draw level in the series on Wednesday. The Thunder's home win poises the series at 1-1, with the teams next headed to San Antonio for Games Three and Four 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."
"Following a tied first quarter, the Thunder roared ahead for an 11-point half-time lead. Gilgeous-Alexander, who had endured a sluggish start in the previous game, led the charge from tip-off, regularly scoring from mid-range. His team hustled for 13 turnovers worth 16 points in the first half alone. The Spurs' Victor Wembanyama having dazzled in Game One, with 41 points and 24 rebounds was stifled, frequently wrestling with Isaiah Hartenstein and double-teamed by an aggressive Thunder defence."
"But his teammate Stephon Castle responded in style, leaping for a sensational dunk over the head of seven-foot-tall Hartenstein that left the crowd and players gasping. From 13 points down, the Spurs without starting guard De'Aaron Fox for a second consecutive contest due to a right ankle sprain rallied to pull level midway through the third. But San Antonio never quite managed to retake the lead, with Oklahoma City soaking up the pressure. The guys were ready to play, [we] didn't get discouraged by the runs they made, sai"
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