Thunder Beat Spurs 122-113 to Level West Finals at 1-1

17 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 21

Oklahoma City evened the Western Conference finals with a 122-113 Game 2 win, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30 points and nine assists after his inefficient opener.
A 57-25 bench scoring edge and 27 points off 21 Spurs turnovers powered the response, with Thunder reserves supplying 11 of the team’s 14 steals.
Isaiah Hartenstein played 27 minutes after only 12 in Game 1 and helped limit Victor Wembanyama to 21 points, 17 rebounds and just 10 paint points after his 41-point opener.
The Thunder also had to adjust on the fly after Jalen Williams exited in the first quarter with left hamstring tightness, putting his status for the rest of the series in question.
The win matched a pattern from Oklahoma City’s title run last season, when it also rebounded from series-opening losses with Game 2 victories before heading on the road.

Can Wembanyama's Shaolin training conquer the reigning champion Thunder and their two-time MVP?

Will the Spurs' playoff inexperience crumble under the Thunder's defensive pressure in pivotal Game 3?