2 weeks ago
NEWYou tin now perceive to Fox News articles!
The Oklahoma City Thunder came into Game 1 of nan Western Conference Finals having not mislaid an NBA Playoffs crippled since Game 6 of nan NBA Finals past year.
But they hadn’t faced Victor Wembanyama and nan San Antonio Spurs yet, and nan 7-foot-4 large man vanished pinch a singular stat statement — 41 points, 24 rebounds , 3 blocks and 12 made free throws — successful a thrilling, double-overtime victory, 122-115, complete nan Thunder to group nan reside for this series. FOX Sports listed Wembanyama pinch 41 points and 24 rebounds, and nan last people of nan play confirmed nan 122-115 double-overtime result.
Like 2 heavyweights successful nan last information of a boxing match, haymakers were thrown near and correct by nan Spurs and Thunder, and Wembanyama had a ample manus successful it precocious successful nan 4th fourth erstwhile he drained a turnaround three-pointer pinch 11.5 seconds near connected nan timepiece to springiness San Antonio a 101-99 lead.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Victor Wembanyama of nan San Antonio Spurs reacts during nan 2nd 4th against nan Oklahoma City Thunder successful Game One of nan NBA Western Conference Finals astatine Paycom Center successful Oklahoma City connected May 18, 2026. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was named nan league’s Most Valuable Player earlier nan commencement of nan series, came done successful nan clutch connected nan other end. With 3.1 seconds remaining successful nan game, his sprint to nan handbasket ended pinch a tying layup to unit overtime.
The Spurs sewage disconnected to a four-point lead successful other time, but Alex Caruso, who came disconnected nan chair and led nan Thunder pinch 31 points, knocked down his eighth 3 of Game 1 to trim nan lead to 1 for San Antonio.
STEPHEN A SMITH FIRES BACK AT JAYLEN BROWN AFTER CELTICS STAR CALLED HIM THE 'FACE OF CLICKBAIT MEDIA'
The Thunder utilized that momentum, arsenic Jalen Williams had a dunk to return a 106-105 lead, and Gilgeous-Alexander added to it pinch a dunk of his own. "Wemby," though, was astatine nan halfway of San Antonio’s late-game consequence connected Monday night, and possibly his astir important bucket was a changeable from good beyond nan arc.
Wembanyama took nan shot from Stephon Castle and added to nan guard’s assistance full pinch a 27-foot 3 adjacent nan Oklahoma City logo to necktie nan crippled astatine 108 apiece pinch 27 seconds left. The Thunder’s chair couldn’t judge it, while nan Spurs’ reserves erupted successful this back-and-forth duel.
Victor Wembanyama of nan San Antonio Spurs dunks against Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams of nan Oklahoma City Thunder during nan 2nd 4th of Game One successful nan NBA Western Conference Finals astatine Paycom Center successful Oklahoma City connected May 18, 2026. (Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
Williams couldn’t deed a three-pointer connected nan different end, and contempt drafting up a awesome play, Caruso knocked down Dylan Harper’s attempted alley-oop to Castle pinch conscionable 0.7 seconds remaining successful overtime to support nan people wherever it was.
Needing 1 much other period, Wembanyama took nan crippled into his hands. He scored 9 points successful double overtime, while nan Spurs tightened up defensively, pinch Wembanyama and Devin Vassell coming up pinch cardinal blocks successful nan end.
Castle vanished pinch 11 assists to lead nan Spurs successful that category, while rookie defender Dylan Harper made captious contributions pinch 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and a game-high 7 steals successful nan win. The Spurs were doing each this without seasoned defender De’Aaron Fox, who they dream will beryllium backmost for Game 2.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of nan Oklahoma City Thunder drives to nan handbasket against Victor Wembanyama of nan San Antonio Spurs during nan first 4th of Game One successful nan NBA Western Conference Finals astatine Paycom Center successful Oklahoma City connected May 18, 2026. (Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Williams had 26 points for Oklahoma City, while Gilgeous-Alexander vanished pinch 24 points connected 7-of-23 shooting pinch 12 assists and 5 steals.
It’s been a ascendant tally for nan Thunder up to this point, but if this Game 1 is immoderate denotation of really this bid will move out, nan Western Conference Finals could person a agelong and melodramatic bid ahead.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Scott Thompson is simply a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
