Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals will go down as an historically great basketball game. Still, nobody in the state of Oklahoma was particularly pleased as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 in double overtime. The Spurs maintained a reasonable level of control for most of the game, but still, the Thunder had chances to take over. A lack of execution in crucial moments cost OKC, but a day in between games can make a world of difference.
While it feels like Victor Wembanyama is who national analysts want to highlight regardless of who is actually playing well, he was worthy of the attention after a historical night in Game 1: 41 points and 24 rebounds. Alex Caruso popped off for the Thunder with a career-playoff-high 31 points, but Shai Gilgeous Alexander struggled on his way to 24 points on just 7-of-23 (30.4%) from the field, and Chet Holmgren was ineffectual with just 8 points and 8 rebounds.
Game 2 will be a big game of adjustments as Mark Daigneault tries to get the Thunder ready to tie up the series. Attack the rim more—even if Wemby is in the paint—rebound the ball at a much more efficient rate, and keep the crowd in the game by way of momentum. The Spurs likely feel very little pressure to win this game after they have already accomplished a major feat of winning a game on the road, but as competitive as they are, don’t expect them to roll over. Loud City is known for homecourt advantage, and despite the Thunder’s loss on Monday, I wouldn’t count on them dropping another one in Game 2. OKC lost back-to-back home games just one time this season, back in the pre-All-Star Break slump.
Game Details
Tip-Off: 7:30 PM CT
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Television: NBA on NBC and Peacock
Radio: WWLS 98.1FM OKC The Sports Animal
Twitter: Follow @ZacharyLowNBA for live tweets and discussion during the game
Game Notes: Oklahoma City Thunder Official Game Notes, San Antonio Spurs Official Game Notes
Projected Starters
Thunder
- PG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- SG: Luguentz Dort
- SF: Jalen Williams
- PF: Chet Holmgren
- C: Isaiah Hartenstein
Spurs
- PG: De’Aaron Fox
- SG: Stephon Castle
- SF: Devin Vassell
- PF: Justin Champagnie
- C: Victor Wembanyama
Injury Report
Thunder
- Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgical recovery) is OUT.
Spurs
- De’Aaron Fox (right ankle soreness) is QUESTIONABLE.
Head-to-Head
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City in 2008, the Thunder is 32-34 against the Spurs in the regular season (22-11 at home, 10-22 away, 0-1 at neutral location) and 10-9 against them in the playoffs (7-3 at home, 3-6 away).
- Since arriving in Oklahoma City, the Thunder have won the season series with the Spurs 5 times, lost 7 times, and tied 5 times.
- The Thunder went 1-4 against the Spurs in the regular season (1-1 at home, 0-2 on the road, and 0-1 at a neutral location).
- OKC trails San Antonio 0-1 in the Western Conference Finals (0-1 at home, 0-0 on the road).