Thunder, Spurs Enter Game 3 Tied 1-1 as 20 Castle Turnovers and Injuries Shape West Finals
Updated
Updated · The Ringer · May 22
Thunder, Spurs Enter Game 3 Tied 1-1 as 20 Castle Turnovers and Injuries Shape West Finals
10 articles · Updated · The Ringer · May 22
Game 3 shifts to San Antonio with the Western Conference finals tied 1-1 after Oklahoma City answered the Spurs’ double-overtime Game 1 upset by reasserting its defense in Game 2.
20 turnovers by Stephon Castle through two games — 11 in Game 1 and 9 in Game 2 — have fueled a 19-turnover series gap, a problem magnified by De’Aaron Fox’s ankle absence and Dylan Harper’s hamstring issue.
11-of-18 3-point shooting from Alex Caruso has given the Thunder an unexpected offensive lift, including 6-of-9 from the corners after he shot just 23.2% there in the regular season.
Plus-17 with Victor Wembanyama on the floor and minus-19 without him underscores San Antonio’s biggest lineup problem, with Oklahoma City posting a plus-45.1 net rating in Luke Kornet’s 20 minutes.
Lower-body injuries on both sides — Fox and Harper for San Antonio, Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell for Oklahoma City — plus OKC’s Holmgren-Hartenstein frontcourt choices and whistle tolerance on Wembanyama could swing the series.
Amidst a 'leg plague' of injuries, is the NBA's intense playoff schedule putting its biggest stars at risk?
Is Alex Caruso's surprise performance the Thunder's secret weapon, or a fluke the Spurs can exploit?
Can San Antonio solve its historic turnover crisis with its backcourt decimated by injuries?
Spurs vs. Thunder Game 3: Turnovers, Injuries, and Depth Shape Western Conference Finals
Overview
The Western Conference Finals are tied 1-1 as the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder head into a pivotal Game 3 tonight in San Antonio. The Spurs took Game 1 in double overtime, but the Thunder bounced back in Game 2. The outcome of Game 3 will shift the series momentum, giving the winner a crucial edge in the best-of-seven contest. However, the Spurs face uncertainty with De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper's availability due to injuries, making their lineup less certain. This high-stakes matchup is set to define the direction of the series.