Oklahoma City found themselves down early, unable to contain the Spurs’ transition game. But once the second unit stepped on the floor, everything changed. The Thunder’s depth has been their defining characteristic all season — 64 wins in the regular season tells only part of the story — and in the most important game of the year, that depth delivered in spectacular fashion.
The Thunder’s bench outscored the Spurs’ reserves 76 to 31, a margin that made the difference in a game that was nominally close for three quarters before becoming a 15-point win on the scoreboard. Head coach Mark Daigneault rotated his groups with precision, keeping pressure on a Spurs squad that had won both games in San Antonio to open the series.
Victor Wembanyama finished with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks — solid numbers by any standard, though below the dominant numbers he posted in Games 1 and 2. The Spurs’ offensive flow was disrupted by Oklahoma City’s adjustments at the rim, forcing the 7-foot-4 Frenchman into difficult looks throughout the second half.
The series now shifts back to Oklahoma City for Game 4 on Tuesday, with the Thunder clinging to a 2-1 series lead. For a team that finished the regular season with the best net rating in the Western Conference, the performance in Game 3 offered a reminder of what this group is capable of when the bench contributes at this level.
The Spurs will look to re-establish their home-court dominance in Game 4. San Antonio went 8-0 at the Frost Bank Center during the playoffs prior to Game 3 — the best home record in the postseason. Fixing the defensive communication that plagued the second half in Oklahoma City will be the priority in the film session before the team travels.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 31 points, adding 9 assists and 3 steals. His ability to create in the mid-range against San Antonio’s drop coverage has been a constant problem for the Spurs throughout the series. Through three games, he is averaging 28.5 points per game in the Western Conference Finals — the highest average of any player remaining in the playoffs.
The Thunder now have a chance to take a commanding 3-1 series lead on their home floor before heading back to San Antonio for what could be the decisive game. Oklahoma City’s depth has carried them through the regular season and the first two rounds, and on Friday night, it delivered again when it mattered most.
Game 4 is scheduled for Tuesday at 8:30 PM ET from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
