Thunder push Spurs to brink with dominant Game 5 win as Wembanyama posts series-low 20 points

The Oklahoma City Thunder are conscionable 1 triumph distant from a 2nd consecutive NBA Finals berth. The Western Conference Finals shifted backmost to Oklahoma City connected Tuesday night, pinch nan defending convention champions pulling distant successful nan 2nd half for a 127-114 triumph successful Game 5.

The reigning two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led nan Thunder pinch 32 points and 9 assists Tuesday night.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of nan Oklahoma City Thunder watches during nan 4th fourth of Game Five against nan San Antonio Spurs successful nan NBA Western Conference Finals astatine Paycom Center successful Oklahoma City connected May 26, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Stephon Castle led nan Spurs pinch 24 points and 5 rebounds, while Victor Wembanyama vanished pinch a series-low 20 points.

Entering Tuesday, nan Spurs appeared to travel a comparatively elemental look for occurrence successful nan Western Conference Finals: When Wembanyama was nan champion subordinate connected nan floor, they won. When he wasn’t, they lost.

San Antonio Spurs guardant Victor Wembanyama looks connected during nan Western Conference Finals against nan Oklahoma City Thunder astatine nan Paycom Center successful Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Wembanyama, who delivered 41- and 33-point performances successful nan Spurs’ 2 wins earlier successful nan series, ne'er appeared to afloat find his hit successful Game 5. He was 4 for 15 from nan floor, missing each 5 of his 3-point attempts.

He offered an impassioned reside to teammates during a timeout hardly 2 minutes into nan 3rd quarter, aft nan Thunder opened an 18-point lead. And it worked — to a point. Oklahoma City scored again to get nan lead up to 20, but nan Spurs closed wrong 8 later successful nan third.

Elsewhere, nan New York Knicks will person to hold until astatine slightest Thursday to find retired which squad emerges from nan Western Conference.

Jared McCain of nan Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates during nan 4th fourth of Game Five against nan San Antonio Spurs successful nan NBA Western Conference Finals astatine Paycom Center successful Oklahoma City, Oklahoma connected May 26, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Even earlier Game 5 of nan Spurs-Thunder bid tipped off, San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson was asked astir Knicks fans successful Manhattan chanting, "We want Wemby! We want Wemby!"

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"I cognize New York’s connected fire. They won truthful that metropolis is evidently enjoying it and they’ve had a heck of a playoff run," Johnson said. "But unfortunately, I’ve been beautiful locked-into what we’ve sewage going correct present successful beforehand of us."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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