Thunder Dominate Spurs in Game 3; Wembanyama Quiet in Loss

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs 118-103 in Game 3 of their first-round series behind a balanced attack and relentless defense. The win extends OKC's series lead to 2-1 and puts San Antonio on the brink of elimination in the best-of-seven matchup.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 24 points, but he wasn’t alone in the spotlight. Chet Holmgren added 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Tyreek Evans came off the bench for a season-high 14 points in just 16 minutes. The Thunder’s depth proved too much for the Spurs, who struggled to find consistency on both ends of the floor.

San Antonio’s two-way guards, Dejounte Murray and Keldon Johnson, combined for just 15 points on 5-of-19 shooting. Both have dealt with nagging injuries in the series, and their struggles have left a visible gap in the Spurs’ offensive production. Victor Wembanyama, meanwhile, finished with 12 points and 8 rebounds but was largely contained by a focused Thunder defense.

The turning point came in the third quarter when the Thunder outscored San Antonio 34-22. During that span, Oklahoma City held the Spurs to just one field goal in a 6-minute stretch. “We stayed locked in when they tried to make a run,” said Thunder coach Mark Daigneault after the game. “That’s what playoff basketball is about.”

The Spurs, who enter the game with a 14-12 record this season, will need a massive Game 4 performance to avoid elimination. With their home-court advantage already lost, San Antonio must find a way to revitalize its backcourt and unleash Wembanyama’s scoring potential.

Meanwhile, the ongoing debate between Wembanyama and Gilgeous-Alexander continues. After two straight wins for the Thunder, Shai’s dominance has reignited the conversation about who is the better all-around player. Wembanyama’s defensive impact remains elite, his 2.3 blocks per game are among the league’s best, but his scoring inconsistency has kept him from fully separating from Gilgeous-Alexander.

Back in Philadelphia, the Sixers are preparing for a major offseason overhaul. With new general manager John Collins at the helm, the team will face tough decisions on contract extensions, trades, and roster construction. The Sixers enter the offseason with $25 million in cap space and a decision on James Harden’s $35 million player option due July 1.

Game 4 is set for Friday night in San Antonio. The Spurs will need a complete team effort if they hope to force a Game 5. With the Thunder holding a two-game lead, the pressure is on Gregg Popovich’s squad to respond with urgency and clarity.