Spurs Fall Flat in Game 3 After Historic Start, Thunder Takes 2-1 West Finals Lead

SAN ANTONIO — They couldn't wait to make history. It took 2:37 of game time, to be exact.

With 11:23 to play in the first quarter, the San Antonio Spurs had their sights set on a Game 3 victory and a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference Finals. Thanks to Devin Vassell, De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle, they had a 15-point cushion to work with.

The early lead marked the longest run to begin a Conference Finals game since 1998, and the second-longest run to begin a game in NBA playoff history, per ESPN research. Staring at its largest deficit of the postseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder stayed level.

"When we came to the timeout," Thunder guard Jared McCain said postgame, "nobody was down. Everybody was ready to keep going and throw another punch."

By the final buzzer, the Thunder had thrown more than one punch. Holding the Spurs' bench to only 23 total points, it managed to play from ahead for the entire second half en route to a 123-108 road victory. McCain scored more total points than the Spurs' second unit.

"From the second he's gotten here," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault began speaking on McCain, "he hasn't flinched ... he's a big time teammate, big time competitor."

Victor Wembanyama, fresh off earning the only unanimous All-Defensive First Team nod of the season, led the Spurs in scoring with 26 points, but managed just four rebounds, three assists and two blocks in the losing effort. Devin Vassell followed him with 20 points.

Once the Spurs gave up their lead, the Thunder pressed the gas and rallied behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who tied Wembanyama with 26 points. The back-to-back MVP failed to reach the free throw line in the first half, but connected on all 12 attempts in the second.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson called the defensive shift a lapse in judgement.

"He got us out of position and took advantage of it," Johnson said. "Those 12 free throws helped out a lot ... I can remember at least a few in my head ... that were undisciplined."

May 22, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball from the floor against San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) n the second half during Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals for the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Despite bringing down their turnover numbers with De'Aaron Fox back in the lineup, the Spurs lacked offensive energy. Oklahoma City finished with a 48 percent shooting clip from the field after living above 50 for a majority of the game. It won the rebounding battle, dished out more assists than its hosts and fouled fewer times.

The result marked the first back-to-back loss for the Spurs since Jan. 13 — ironically, the only game the Spurs dropped to the Thunder this season.

"It’s the first playoffs for many of us," Wembanyama bluntly said in explanation. "Of course there (were) going to be hard trials. It’s to be expected."

Facing their first series deficit this postseason, the Spurs will hope to retain Fox's steadying presence on offense while finding a rhythm at home to even the score. The point guard went down in the third quarter after colliding with Luguentz Dort on a loose ball, but remained on the bench and returned to play after the next timeout.

He won't be 100 percent for the rest of the postseason. That, too, is to be expected; the Spurs know what challenge is waiting for them when they take the floor next.

"We’re going to see what we’re made of," Wembanyama said.

Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder from Frost Bank Center is set for 7 p.m. Central Sunday night on NBC.

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