Oklahoma City Thunder Edge Closer to NBA Finals After 127-114 Triumph Over Spurs

Key Takeaways:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points as the Thunder secured a 127-114 victory over the Spurs
• Oklahoma City now leads the Western Conference finals 3-2 and will visit San Antonio for Game 6 on Thursday
• The Thunder had scored just 82 points in their previous loss but surpassed that total early in the third quarter

Thunder Surge Ahead in Series After Offensive Showcase

The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered an emphatic response to their previous defeat, posting a 127-114 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 32 points, supported by a 22-point spark off the bench from Alex Caruso. This result puts the Thunder, the defending NBA champions, just one win away from another appearance in the NBA Finals, holding a 3-2 advantage in the Western Conference finals.

Jared McCain rose to the occasion in his first playoff start, compiling 20 points as he filled in for the sidelined Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell. Chet Holmgren contributed a well-rounded performance with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Isaiah Hartenstein added 12 points and a team-high 15 boards.

Got it done in Game 5 🫡 pic.twitter.com/Dfqz7TYrEr

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 27, 2026

San Antonio Struggles from Distance Amid Free Throw Surge

Stephon Castle led the Spurs offensively with 24 points, followed by Julian Champagnie with 22 and Victor Wembanyama with 20. Wembanyama, however, endured a challenging shooting night, converting just 4 of his 15 field goal attempts. Keldon Johnson provided a boost from the bench, tallying 15 points. The Spurs were hampered by poor three-point shooting, connecting on only 12 of their 41 attempts from beyond the arc.

The contest saw an abundance of free throws, particularly in the second quarter when both teams combined for 29 made free throws, setting a second-quarter mark not seen since the bubble playoffs nearly six years ago. The Spurs converted 15 of 17 attempts, while the Thunder were perfect with 14 made from 14 attempts in that period.

Second-Quarter Push Sets Tone for Thunder

Oklahoma City asserted their dominance with a commanding 40-point second quarter, establishing a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the night. By the third quarter’s opening minutes, the Thunder had already matched their entire scoring output from their Game 4 defeat, when they managed only 82 points.

Gilgeous-Alexander captured the team’s mindset, stating, “We just played to who we were tonight.”

Contentious Officiating and Late Spurs Rally

The Thunder built a 20-point cushion in the third stanza, though the Spurs cut the deficit to eight before the quarter concluded. San Antonio’s frustration peaked after two controversial officiating decisions in the closing minute: a missed goaltending call against Cason Wallace following a Luke Kornet tip-in attempt, and an out-of-bounds ruling that replays indicated was incorrect. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson attempted to challenge but was not acknowledged by officials and subsequently received a technical foul for arguing.

“They just said they didn’t see me,” Johnson remarked.

Heading into the final period, the Thunder led 101-91 and maintained a double-digit advantage for nearly the entire fourth quarter – a stark reversal from their 21-point defeat in San Antonio two days prior. Reflecting on the team’s performance, Gilgeous-Alexander commented, “We definitely got better from the last game.”

What’s Next: Game 6 and NBA Finals Await

The series returns to San Antonio for Game 6 on Thursday. Should a seventh game be necessary, the teams would reconvene in Oklahoma City on Saturday. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks await the outcome, prepared to travel to the victor’s home for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on 3 June.