On Sunday night, the San Antonio Spurs made a strong comeback in the Western Conference Finals, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-82. The series now stands at two games apiece, setting the stage for a crucial Game 5 at Paycor Center in Oklahoma City on Tuesday.
The Thunder’s 3-point shooting had been a key factor in their Game 3 victory, boasting a 44.7% success rate from beyond the arc. However, Game 4 saw a significant shift as San Antonio’s adjusted defense limited Oklahoma City to a mere 18% from three-point range (6 of 33) and just 33% from the field overall.
The Spurs themselves weren’t dazzling with their shooting, hitting only 27% from beyond the arc (9 of 33) and 39% from the field. Their aggressive play, however, resulted in numerous opportunities from the free-throw line, netting 32 free throws compared to Oklahoma City’s 18.
The tone of the game was set early, with the Spurs gaining a nine-point lead after the first quarter, which expanded to double digits by halftime. Oklahoma City struggled in the third quarter, turning the ball over frequently, which San Antonio capitalized on efficiently.
Key performances included Victor Wembanyama leading with 33 points, grabbing eight rebounds, providing five assists, and blocking three shots. Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, and De’Aaron Fox also contributed greatly, and the Spurs bench added to the victory.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander found the night challenging, managing only six of his 15 shots. Despite making all seven free throws, he struggled with turnovers, accumulating four. The Thunder received contributions from its bench, but not enough to match their standards.
The stage is set for these Western Conference giants to clash again Tuesday night, aiming for an advantageous position heading into Game 6.
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