Spurs Defeat Thunder 122-115 in Double Overtime to Open Western Conference Finals

The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 in double overtime Monday night to take Game 1 of the Western Conference finals. Victor Wembanyama finished with 41 points and 24 rebounds. Dylan Harper added 24 points and a team playoff-record seven steals. Stephon Castle scored 17 points, Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson each had 13, and Julian Champagnie added 11.

Wembanyama sealed the win with a pair of dunks in the final minute, one of them completing a three-point play. He became the youngest player to record at least 40 points and 20 rebounds in a playoff game at 22 years and 134 days. Alex Caruso scored 31 points off the bench for the Thunder, the second-highest scoring game of his career.

Jalen Williams returned from a six-game absence and scored 26 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 24 points and 12 assists but shot 7 for 23.

The Spurs led by 10 points with 9:10 left in regulation before the Thunder rallied. The lead changed hands twice and the score was tied three times in the final two minutes of regulation. Wembanyama missed an off-balance shot at the buzzer in regulation that was blocked by Chet Holmgren.

In the first overtime he hit a tying three-pointer from well beyond the arc with 28 seconds remaining to force a second overtime.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson called the contest a “war of wills” and said both teams showed high levels of mental toughness. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said the team must improve after the loss. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Oklahoma City. " — Victor Wembanyama, May 18, 2026 (The Guardian) >"It was a war of wills.