NBA playoffs: Thunder one win from finals as Wembanyama and Spurs go quiet in Game 5

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander struggled early, missing his first four shots and committing three turnovers in the first quarter. Oklahoma City trailed early but responded strongly in the second and third quarters, building a lead and ultimately defeating San Antonio 127-114 to take a 3-2 series advantage. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault credited the team’s approach on both ends of the floor. Oklahoma City has a chance to close the series in Game 6 in San Antonio. Alex Caruso, Chet Holmgren, and Jared McCain combined for limited production in the previous game but delivered in Game 5. McCain earned his first playoff start after being inserted into the lineup due to injuries to Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell.

"I thought we were first to the fight tonight on both ends and I thought we weren't the other night, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. I just loved the way we approached tonight on both ends of the floor. Oklahoma City will have a chance to close out the series in Game 6 on Thursday in San Antonio. It was a rough start for Gilgeous-Alexander, who missed his first four shots and had three first-quarter turnovers."

"If it was four or five [versions of me] out there, we would've been down 20 after the first quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander said. Probably should never start like that again. But even with the back-to-back MVP's struggles, the Thunder led after a quarter thanks in part to Gilgeous-Alexander's seven points in the final two minutes. In Sunday's 103-82 loss, Chet Holmgren, Alex Caruso and Jared McCain combined for just 14 points on 4-of-19 shooting."

"McCain was inserted into the starting lineup for his first playoff start, as Daigneault went with McCain over Cason Wallace with the Thunder playing without both Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell for the second consecutive game. We just thought he could give us some good stuff with that unit just based on where we are right now with a couple guys out, Daigneault said. And he did. He was really good. ... He's got great moxie and confidence and he showed that."

"In Tuesday's game, the trio combined for 58 points, going 18 of 38 from the floor. McCain scored 18 of his 20 points af"

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