Shai Gilgeous-Alexander began Game 5 with three live-ball turnovers and a shooting foul before scoring, and he missed four shots, including two layups. Despite that start, Oklahoma City stayed ahead and expanded its lead, winning 127-114. Chet Holmgren made tough mid-range shots over smaller defenders, while Alex Caruso and Kenrich Williams hit three-pointers off the bench. Isaiah Hartenstein added a push shot. Oklahoma City’s defensive plans also adapted to Victor Wembanyama, using Isaiah Hartenstein to apply constant arm-bar pressure and freeing Caruso and Lu Dort to disrupt perimeter play. San Antonio’s offense has struggled across the series, producing low offensive output and grinding possessions.
"Before scoring a single point Tuesday night, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander committed three live-ball turnovers and a shooting foul, leading to seven points for the visiting San Antonio Spurs, and missed four shots of his own, including a pair of layups. "If it was four or five me's out there, we would've been down 20 after the first quarter," Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game. The Thunder were not down 20 after the first quarter; they were, in fact, up two points, and would spend the rest of the night lengthening their lead and fortifying their advantages, cruising to 127-114 victory."
"While Gilgeous-Alexander struggled for space and rhythm, Chet Holmgren took and made some tough mid-rangers over smaller defenders. Alex Caruso and Kenrich Williams buried three-pointers off the bench. Isaiah Hartenstein threw in one of those goofy push shots. Gilgeous-Alexander had plenty of time to work his way into a groove. "The guys were great to start the game. I probably should never start like that again, and give us a better chance to win a ballgame, but the guys held it down.""
"It's not just on offense that Mark Daigneault has the resources for Plans B and C. When his first idea of a defensive plan for stopping Victor Wembanyama bombed, back in Game 1, Daigneault unleashed Isaiah Hartenstein to drag Wemby into the hell of endless arm-bars, and set Caruso and Lu Dort free to beat up San Antonio's perimeter playmakers. The Spurs have not yet exactly identified a counter-maneuver: After scoring a relatively cool 122 points in the series-opening victory, San Antonio's offense has become a painful grind, and even in their Game 4 win they were held to just 103 points."
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