The Oklahoma City Thunder are now one win away from the NBA Finals after taking down the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 in a massive Game 5 Tuesday night. In what felt like a season-defining response after getting embarrassed in Game 4, the Thunder came out aggressive, physical, and deep. Oklahoma City now leads the Western Conference Finals 3-2 with Game 6 heading back to San Antonio.
This game showed exactly why many people believe Oklahoma City is the best team in basketball. It was not just Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carrying the offense. The Thunder won because of their depth, defense, and balanced scoring attack. SGA finished with 32 points and 9 assists, but Alex Caruso added 22 huge points while Jared McCain exploded for 20 in one of the biggest games of his young career. Chet Holmgren also controlled the paint with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The scary part for the rest of the NBA is that Oklahoma City did this while still not looking fully perfect offensively. The Thunder shot far better than they did in Game 4 and completely controlled the pace once the second quarter started. Their role players changed the game, and that is what separates championship teams from talented teams.
Meanwhile, this was a frustrating night for San Antonio. Victor Wembanyama never fully took over the game offensively, finishing with 20 points on just 4-for-15 shooting from the field. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson even admitted afterward that the team needs more aggression from its superstar moving forward. Stephon Castle scored 24 points, but Oklahoma City’s defensive pressure wore San Antonio down over four quarters.
Now the pressure completely shifts to the Spurs heading into Game 6. The Thunder have regained momentum, have home-court advantage if there is a Game 7, and suddenly look like the more complete team again. Oklahoma City has been waiting years for a return to the NBA Finals, and now they are just one victory away from setting up a blockbuster Finals matchup against the New York Knicks.
