Oklahoma City’s standout player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t mince words when discussing his poor performance in the opening game of the Western Conference finals.
“I have sucked when I get too long of a break,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I don’t think it’s anything other than that. I guess I gotta do a better job with my breaks.”
Just two days after those comments, the two-time reigning Most Valuable Player delivered a vastly improved showing in Game 2, putting up 30 points to propel the Thunder to a 122-113 victory at home against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.
The win tied the best-of-seven series at one win for each team before Game 3 takes place Friday in San Antonio.
Following his squad’s lackluster beginning in Monday’s Game 1 that ended in a double-overtime defeat, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault anticipated a stronger effort in the second contest.
His expectations were met.
Oklahoma City maintained the lead throughout the game after the opening quarter, although the outcome remained uncertain until the final minutes.
The Thunder achieved victory through improved play from Gilgeous-Alexander, a recovery effort by Chet Holmgren, increased playing time for Isaiah Hartenstein, and another solid defensive showing despite losing Jalen Williams to another hamstring problem.
They also contained Spurs standout Victor Wembanyama.
Wembanyama delivered 41 points and 24 rebounds in a record-setting display during the first game. Wednesday saw him contribute 21 points on 8-of-16 field goal attempts while collecting 17 rebounds and four blocks.
Despite Oklahoma City controlling play for nearly the entire second half and building their advantage to as many as 13 points, San Antonio narrowed the gap to just five points with slightly over one minute left. The Spurs regained possession after Gilgeous-Alexander was whistled for an offensive foul.
But Devin Vassell’s 3-point attempt fell short, and the possession concluded with Stephon Castle’s ninth turnover of the contest.
Gilgeous-Alexander responded by connecting on a step-back jump shot, and following Castle’s missed three-pointer, Alex Caruso’s driving layup sealed the victory with 19.7 seconds remaining.
Gilgeous-Alexander connected on 12 of 24 shots after making just 7 of 23 attempts in the opener. He contributed nine assists on Wednesday.
Holmgren had difficulty getting involved in the first game, managing only eight points on 2-of-7 shooting.
He tallied 13 points in Game 2, including seven during the third period.
Daigneault admitted that giving Hartenstein only 12 minutes in the opener “didn’t feel good.” Hartenstein proved crucial to Oklahoma City’s strategy against Wembanyama in the second game.
Hartenstein committed his second foul just three minutes into the contest but managed to stay out of serious foul difficulty and made significant contributions on both offense and defense. He recorded 10 points and 13 rebounds across 27 minutes.
“That’s the matchup, and so we decided to start with it,” Daigneault said of Hartenstein facing Wembanyama.
Hartenstein’s impact was particularly notable in the fourth quarter, when he contributed four points, eight rebounds and two assists.
While Wembanyama still posted solid statistics, his performance was much less dominant than in Game 1.
“He’s changed the dynamic since the first game he’s played,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of Hartenstein. “He’s our physicality and our backbone. He’s our bruiser, sets screens, rebounds for us, physical.”
Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized that the Thunder cannot become overconfident as the series moves to San Antonio.
“Tonight wasn’t good enough to win the series,” he said, “and we know that.”
San Antonio had controlled turnovers effectively during regular-season matchups with Oklahoma City, which helped the Spurs capture four of five games.
However, without starting point guard De’Aaron Fox, who has been sidelined for both series games with an ankle sprain, San Antonio has faltered in this area.
The Spurs turned the ball over 21 times in Game 2, resulting in 27 points for the Thunder. Castle was responsible for nine of those turnovers.
“They do such a good job of showing crowds in the paint, having multiple bodies,” San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said. “It’s not just Steph. He had too many turnovers, but our whole team did.”
The Spurs also lost rookie guard Dylan Harper, who played a key role in Game 1, to a right leg injury. Harper left the game shortly after the midpoint of the third quarter.
Wembanyama acknowledged that the Spurs must improve across the board without Fox and Harper available.
“We’ve got to help our ball-handlers more (to) take care of the ball,” Wembanyama said.
Williams, who appeared in only 33 regular-season games due to multiple injuries, departed late in the first quarter after experiencing left hamstring tightness.
Williams had been absent for six straight games because of a left hamstring injury before returning Monday for the series opener.
Daigneault provided little information about Williams’ condition following the game.
“He’ll get checked out in the morning. We’ll see where he’s at,” the coach said.
