Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to Game 2 win, series tied with Spurs

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 122-113 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, leveling the Western Conference finals at one game apiece.

The two-time reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, largely contained in Game 1, finished with 30 points and nine assists to even the series.

The Thunder’s home win sets up Games Three and Four in San Antonio on Friday and Saturday.

“The guys brought it tonight, knowing what it would have meant if we lost this one,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

“We brought the energy from the jump.”

Two nights after a double-overtime thriller separated the teams, the two clubs with the best regular-season records delivered another tense contest.

After a tied first quarter, Oklahoma City surged to an 11-point halftime lead.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who started slowly in the previous game, was aggressive from the opening tip, scoring consistently from mid-range.

The Thunder forced 13 turnovers in the first half alone, converting them into 16 points.

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, who posted 41 points and 24 rebounds in Game 1, was held in check, battling constantly with Isaiah Hartenstein and facing double teams from Oklahoma City’s defense.

Teammate Stephon Castle electrified the crowd with a dunk over the 7-foot Hartenstein that drew gasps from players and fans alike.

Down by 13, the Spurs – missing starting guard De’Aaron Fox for a second straight game due to a right ankle sprain – rallied to tie the game midway through the third quarter.

However, San Antonio never regained the lead as Oklahoma City absorbed the pressure.

“The guys were ready to play, [we] didn’t get discouraged by the runs they made,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game.

“Obviously, they’re a good team, they are gonna make runs.”

The physical game saw Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams and San Antonio’s Dylan Harper leave the court with injuries and not return.

The Thunder extended their advantage again in the final quarter.

Gilgeous-Alexander hit another step-back jumper, and Alex Caruso’s layup pushed the lead to nine with 20 seconds remaining.

“We got a W [win], it’s all you can ask for. Now we got to go on the road against a really good team and go get one,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

A subdued Wembanyama said Gilgeous-Alexander had “made shots, but nothing that he hasn’t made all season.”

“We worked on it, we just didn’t apply as much,” the Frenchman added.

Oklahoma City is seeking to become the first repeat champion since Golden State in 2017 and 2018.

The Thunder compiled a league-best 64 regular-season wins and swept Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first two rounds.

However, they lost four of five regular-season meetings with the Spurs, who won 62 games and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

The series winner will face either the New York Knicks or Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.