Thunder Defeat Spurs 127-114 in Game 5 to Lead Series 3-2

Oklahoma City defeated San Antonio 127-114 on Tuesday in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals. The win gave the Thunder a 3-2 series lead and put the Spurs one loss from elimination. Oklahoma City entered the series after losing four of five regular-season meetings to San Antonio.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had said after a December loss that the team needed to improve following three defeats to the Spurs in a short span.

Williams sidelined by a hamstring injury, Oklahoma City relied on Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace and Jared McCain. 6 minutes during the regular season. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault increased Caruso's playing time after limiting him to fewer than 25 minutes in most regular-season games.

Oklahoma City posted a plus-45 point differential with Caruso on the floor and a minus-36 differential with him on the bench across the five games.

Wembanyama scored 20 points on 4-of-15 shooting in Game 5. Oklahoma City held him to that total after he had posted several higher-scoring games earlier in the series. Gilgeous-Alexander said Caruso "is one of the best competitors in the NBA, night in and night out" and credited him with setting the tone for the team.