Thunder bench lifts OKC past Spurs in Game3
PUBLISHED May 23, 2026, 3:06 AM ET
Read, Watch or Listen
San Antonio — The Oklahoma City Thunder rallied from an early 15-0 Spurs run and held off San Antonio to win 123-108 in Game 3, taking a 2-1 series lead. After coach Mark Daigneault called timeout late in the fourth, Jared McCain hit an 11-foot jumper and Jaylin Williams completed a four-point play that restored a 15-point cushion. The Thunder starters scored just 47 points, but the reserves outscored San Antonio's bench 76-23; McCain had a playoff-career-high 24, Williams 18, Alex Caruso 15 and Cason Wallace 11. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 26 points and 12 assists, impacting the game increasingly with his passing despite 6-for-17 shooting and a scoreless first quarter. Oklahoma City also limited Victor Wembanyama's interior production — he had 26 points but just 10 paint points for the second straight game and four rebounds — using defenders such as Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams. Jalen Williams was ruled out with a left hamstring reinjury, and San Antonio's De'Aaron Fox returned with 15 points, seven assists and six rebounds while the Spurs cut turnovers to 15.
By Michael Grant | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Spurs opened Game 3 with a 15-0 run in San Antonio.
- Thunder trailed by 15 early but gradually reduced the deficit.
- Key bench contributions from OKC shifted control in the fourth quarter.
- Thunder won Game 3, 123-108, securing a 2-1 series lead.
- Teams scheduled Game 4 for Sunday with expected tactical adjustments.
News Intelligence
- If you're a Thunder fan, this game was a testament to the team's depth and resilience. The bench players stepped up, turning the tide in a crucial playoff game. For sports enthusiasts, it's a reminder that every player counts in a team sport. Keep an eye on the bench in future games.
- Articles Published:
- 4
- Right Leaning:
- 0
- Left Leaning:
- 0
- Neutral:
- 4
- Distribution:
- Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%
The Oklahoma City Thunder benefited from deep bench scoring and team depth, converting a 15-point deficit into a 123-108 Game 3 victory to take a 2-1 Western Conference finals lead.
The San Antonio Spurs suffered a late-game collapse after a 15-0 start, losing 123-108 despite Victor Wembanyama's 24 points and dropping to a 1-2 series hole.
Coverage of Story:
From Left
No left-leaning sources found for this story.
From Center
Thunder bench lifts OKC past Spurs in Game3
NBA.com 102.3 KRMG Sports Illustrated The New York TimesFrom Right
No right-leaning sources found for this story.
Comments