Thunder Eye 3-1 West Finals Lead as Gilgeous-Alexander Averages 11 Assists

13 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · May 24

Game 4 tips at 8 p.m. ET in San Antonio with Oklahoma City up 2-1 after turning the Spurs’ 15-0 Game 3 start into a 15-point win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has driven that control less with scoring than playmaking—12 assists against two turnovers in Game 3, and 11 assists per game for the series.
Victor Wembanyama has kept San Antonio competitive when on the floor: the Spurs were +4 in his 39 minutes in Game 3 and are +21 in 125 series minutes with him.
The problem is the bench stretch—San Antonio lost Wembanyama’s nine Game 3 rest minutes by 19 points and is -38 in 29 series minutes without him.
Health could shape the swing minutes again: Jalen Williams is questionable for Oklahoma City, Ajay Mitchell is out, while Spurs coach Mitch Johnson expects De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper to play.

How can the Spurs survive the crucial minutes their superstar Victor Wembanyama rests on the bench?

Can rookie Dylan Harper repeat his historic Game 1 heroics to help save the Spurs' season?

With stars injured league-wide, is the NBA's grueling season compromising the quality of its own playoffs?