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Thunder Beat Spurs 127-114 in Game 5 to Move Within NBA Finals Berth
Sandy Verma | May 28, 2026 3:24 AM CST

Thunder Beat Spurs 127-114 in Game 5 to Move Within NBA Finals Berth/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points as Oklahoma City moved one victory away from returning to the NBA Finals. The Thunder now lead the series 3-2 heading into Game 6 in San Antonio.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) reacts to a foul in the second half of Game 5 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series against the San Antonio Spurs, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes to the basket aginst San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (7) in the second half of Game 5 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) moves on the court against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of Game 5 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Thunder vs Spurs Game 5 Quick Looks

  • Thunder defeated Spurs 127-114 in Game 5.
  • Oklahoma City leads Western Conference finals 3-2.
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points.
  • Alex Caruso added 22 points off the bench.
  • Jared McCain scored 20 in first playoff start.
  • Victor Wembanyama struggled shooting 4-of-15.
  • Spurs missed 29 of 41 three-point attempts.
  • Oklahoma City scored 40 points in second quarter.
  • Game 6 will be played Thursday in San Antonio.
  • Knicks await winner in NBA Finals matchup.
A Oklahoma City Thunder fan cheers in the first half of Game 5 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) celebrates his three-point basket against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of Game 5 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Thunder Move One Win From NBA Finals

Oklahoma City Thunder moved within one victory of the NBA Finals after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 Tuesday night in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

The defending NBA champions now hold a 3-2 series advantage and can clinch a Finals berth with a victory Thursday in San Antonio.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 32 points while veteran guard Alex Caruso sparked the bench with 22 points.

Thunder Bounce Back After Game 4 Loss

Oklahoma City responded emphatically after suffering a crushing 21-point defeat in Game 4.

The Thunder scored 82 points before the third quarter was even four minutes old, matching the entire total they produced in Sunday’s loss.

Daigneault praised his team’s ability to quickly regroup.

Jared McCain Steps Up in First Playoff Start

Rookie guard Jared McCain delivered a breakout performance with 20 points in his first playoff start.

McCain entered the lineup with both Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell sidelined.

Chet Holmgren added 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Isaiah Hartenstein contributed 12 points and 15 rebounds.

Spurs Struggle From Three-Point Range

San Antonio could not overcome poor perimeter shooting.

The Spurs missed 29 of their 41 attempts from beyond the arc, limiting their comeback opportunities throughout the second half.

Stephon Castle led San Antonio with 24 points.

Julian Champagnie scored 22 points, while Victor Wembanyama finished with 20 points but struggled badly shooting just 4-for-15 from the field.

Reserve forward Keldon Johnson added 15 points off the bench.

Huge Second Quarter Changed the Game

Oklahoma City took control during a dominant second quarter in which the Thunder exploded for 40 points.

The offensive surge gave the Thunder a double-digit lead they largely maintained the rest of the night.

The Thunder eventually stretched the lead to 20 points during the third quarter before San Antonio briefly rallied.

Spurs Furious Over Missed Calls

San Antonio became increasingly frustrated late in the third quarter after several controversial officiating decisions.

The Spurs argued Oklahoma City’s Cason Wallace committed goaltending when blocking a Luke Kornet tip-in attempt.

Moments later, the Spurs believed they should have retained possession on an out-of-bounds play after replay appeared to show the ball touched Holmgren last.

Coach Mitch Johnson attempted to challenge the ruling but said officials ignored him before issuing him a technical foul.

Despite the controversy, Oklahoma City entered the fourth quarter ahead 101-91.

Thunder Close Out Strong

The Spurs briefly cut the deficit to eight points but never seriously threatened in the final quarter.

Oklahoma City maintained a double-digit lead for nearly the entire fourth period.

Knicks Await NBA Finals Opponent

The winner of the Western Conference finals will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals beginning June 3.

Game 6 will take place Thursday night in San Antonio.

If necessary, Game 7 would return to Oklahoma City on Saturday.

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