The San Antonio Spurs produced a strong response to level their best-of-seven Western Conference finals series at 2-2, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-82 at home. Victor Wembanyama led the performance after being openly critical of his display in the game three loss, finishing with 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two steals.
The 22-year-old Frenchman said the team had simply reacted in the right way, stressing there was nothing extraordinary about their performance and that they only did what was required. He also added that the series was still very much alive.
Early control and momentum shift before halftime
The Spurs quickly established control by opening up a 15-point advantage early in the game. Oklahoma City later reduced the gap to five points with just over a minute left in the second quarter, briefly putting pressure on the hosts.
However, San Antonio answered strongly before the interval, scoring seven straight points. The sequence ended with a long-range three-pointer from near mid-court by Wembanyama, helping the Spurs go into halftime with momentum firmly on their side.
Defensive pressure restricts Thunder output
San Antonio’s defensive effort played a major role in the outcome, with Oklahoma City limited to just 38 points in the first half, their lowest total of the season. The reigning NBA champions also recorded their lowest overall game total since 2 December 2021, while it was their lowest-scoring playoff performance since 2020.
The game effectively slipped out of reach, and Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished as top scorer for his team with 19 points, did not play in the fourth quarter. No other Oklahoma City player reached more than 12 points.
Series outlook shifts to upcoming games
Attention now turns to game five, which will take place in Oklahoma City on Tuesday at 01:30 BST on Wednesday, before game six returns to San Antonio on Thursday at 01:30 BST on Friday.
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks hold a 3-0 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers and have the opportunity to close out their series in Cleveland on Monday at 01:00 BST on Tuesday. The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on 4 June.