2026 NBA Playoffs

Recap: Thunder take pivotal Game 5 with group effort

Follow along with Game 5 of the 2026 Western Conference Finals between the Spurs and Thunder with the NBA.com live blog.

Ben Lambert, for NBA.com

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder defeated the Spurs in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals Tuesday night.

The Thunder defeated the Spurs 127-114, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32 pts, 9 ast), who had his highest-scoring game of the series.

The Oklahoma City defense held San Antonio to 40.2% shooting, limiting Victor Wembanyama (20 pts, 6 reb, 2 blk, Playoffs-low -8).

Chet Holmgren (16 pts, 11 reb) and Isaiah Hartenstein (12 pts, 15 reb) both had big games to win the battle in the paint.

What we know about Tuesday’s game:

  • In a 2-2 series in the NBA Playoffs, the home team for Game 5 has gone on to advance 73.1% of the time.
  • Postgame Presser: Spurs-Thunder
  • This series will reconvene Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

MAY 26, 2026 / 11:52 ET

One time for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

MAY 26, 2026 / 11:31 ET

Postgame Presser: Spurs-Thunder

MAY 26, 2026 / 11:21 ET

Thunder win 127-114

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32 pts, 9 ast) found his scoring touch and the Thunder role players stepped up to take Game 5 over the San Antonio Spurs, securing a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference Finals.

Chet Holmgren (16 pts, 11 reb) put up a double-double, while OKC earned a 40-33 lead in bench points, led by Alex Caruso (22 pts, 6 ast).

“We’re a group of 1 through 15,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “We definitely got better from last game.”

Stephon Castle (24 pts, 6 ast) was the top scorer for San Antonio, while Victor Wembanyama (20 pts, 6 reb, 3 blk) was largely held in check.

MAY 26, 2026 / 11:10 ET

Spurs empty the bench

Mitch Johnson has put in the reserves — Jordan McLaughlin, Carter Bryant, Kelly Olynyk, Bismack Biyombo, Mason Plumlee — and the Thunder lead 122-108 with 1:40 to go.

The Spurs haven’t been able to assert themselves all night, while the Thunder have found contributors up-and-down the lineup.

“They understood the moment,” Jamal Crawford said of the defending champs.

MAY 26, 2026 / 10:59 ET

McCain madness

Jared McCain (14 pts, 2 3PM) just knocked down a 3-pointer to extend the Thunder lead to 112-99 with 6:11 to go in the game, countering a small rally by the Spurs.

The Duke product has been eager from the field (14 shots), and got hot in the second half, scoring 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting so far. He’s a threat every time he rises up.

MAY 26, 2026 / 10:51 ET

Thunder extend lead as Spurs scuffle

107-93 OKC with 8:52 to go in the contest.

Both teams are sputtering some, as SGA rests on the bench for the defending champs, but OKC is taking advantage of the fractured play.

Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell are a combined 9-of-36 (25%) from the field, as the Spurs look for consistent scoring.

Julian Champagnie (22 pts) and Stephon Castle (21 pts) have been the top scorers for San Antonio, but Castle’s been relegated to the bench after picking up his fifth foul early in the period.

MAY 26, 2026 / 10:42 ET

Thunder lead 101-91 after three

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30 pts) is having his best game of the series, leading the Thunder to a lead in a crucial Game 5.

OKC’s 11-of-23 (47.8%) from 3-point range and has a 33-21 lead in bench points, sparked by Cason Wallace (7 pts, +24) and Alex Caruso (17 pts, 3 3PM).

The Spurs have a 17-2 advantage in fast break points, but the Thunder’s methodical offense has paid dividends all night.

MAY 26, 2026 / 10:34 ET

Shai on the attack

SGA (27 pts, 6 ast) is 13-of-14 at the line tonight — his best game from the free throw stripe in the series.

He’s gotten loose and managed to avoid Victor Wembanyama’s presence in the paint.

98-88 Thunder with 55.7 left in the third quarter.

MAY 26, 2026 / 10:22 ET

A 14-2 Spurs run

87-79 Thunder, as the Spurs cut into the advantage and get back into the game.

Keldon Johnson (11 pts), Stephon Castle (19 pts) and Devin Vassell have hit 3-pointers on consecutive possessions for San Antonio.

They’re up to 10-of-25 (40%) from distance.

MAY 26, 2026 / 10:18 ET

‘Instant oatmeal’

Jared McCain (11 pts) has the last seven points for the Thunder, prompting the quip from Jamal Crawford — a microwave scorer off the bench himself.

The Spurs have worked hard here, including a finish at the rim for Victor Wembanyama (14 pts, 3 blk), stemming the Thunder tide.

85-73 Thunder with 6:44 to go in the third.

MAY 26, 2026 / 10:12 ET

Thunder rolling early in the third

OKC started the quarter on a 7-0 run, taking a 76-58 lead with 9:54 to go in the third quarter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (22 pts) just hit a stepback 3-pointer to cap the stretch, forcing a timeout as the Spurs search for answers on the road in the Paycom Center.

Victor Wembanyama (11 pts) rallied his teammates in the huddle. Can they respond?

MAY 26, 2026 / 9:51 ET

Thunder up 69-58 at the half

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19 pts, 3 ast) has found his scoring touch, outdoing Victor Wembanyama (11 pts) and helping push the Thunder to a lead at the break.

“Trying to attack space and be aggressive,” said Chet Holmgren (12 pts, 6 reb). “We’ve got to do another 24 minutes like that.”

Julian Champagnie (17 pts, 5 reb, 4 3PM) got hot in the first quarter, giving the Spurs a lift, but they’re going to need to find their defensive chops in the second half.

The Thunder scored 40 in the second quarter — their highest-scoring period of the series — and shooting 21-of-40 (52.5%) from the field so far.

MAY 26, 2026 / 9:45 ET

Caruso back

Alex Caruso (14 pts on 3-of-4 shooting, 4 ast, 3 stl) has returned to the floor and continued his winning ways for the Thunder. He’s given them whatever they need in this series.

63-52 Thunder with 1:20 to go in the half.

MAY 26, 2026 / 9:35 ET

Shai with the shake

SGA (11 pts, 2 stl) just shook Victor Wembanyama (9 pts, 1 blk) in the midrange, fading away along the baseline for a jumper.

Stephon Castle (8 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast) responded with a free-throw line jumper of his own after two defenders went to Wemby in the paint.

Some very talented guards going at it in this series.

52-46 Thunder with 4:11 to go in the second.

MAY 26, 2026 / 9:29 ET

San Antonio battling back

Keldon Johnson (4 pts, 2-of-3 FGA) just went through Chet Holmgren for the slam, capping a spurt for the Spurs.

The run came after Alex Caruso tweaked his ankle, heading back to the locker room for treatment. He’s been a force for the Thunder throughout this series, contributing in all aspects of the game — could be a major factor going forward.

45-44 Thunder with 6:08 to go in the half.

MAY 26, 2026 / 9:18 ET

Grinding it out

Both teams are up to seven turnovers in a game that’s seen six lead changes and five ties.

San Antonio has a 10-2 advantage in fast break points, while the Thunder have a 20-7 lead in bench points, led by Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace, who have seven apiece.

41-35 Oklahoma City with 9:00 to go in the second quarter.

MAY 26, 2026 / 9:06 ET

Watch Wemby rise up

MAY 26, 2026 / 9:04 ET

Thunder up 29-27 after one

It’s been a competitive contest so far, as both coaches look for contributors this deep in a tough series.

Oklahoma City’s shooting 10-of-20 (50%) from the field so far, although Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (7 pts on 1-of-5 shooting) has been dealing with a ton of attention from the San Antonio defense.

Cason Wallace’s quick hands have shown up repeatedly, including a steal in the waning seconds of the quarter that led to an SGA 3-pointer.

The Spurs got a boost from rookie Carter Bryant (5 pts) who put down an elegant slam and knocked down a 3-pointer while defending Shai. They’ve forced nine turnovers so far.

“Be desperate,” Keldon Johnson reportedly told his teammates in the huddle. “We have to win this game.”

MAY 26, 2026 / 8:51 ET

Dueling back and forth

The Thunder are rallying with Chet Holmgren (8 pts, 4 reb) leading the way, while Victor Wembanyama hasn’t yet taken a shot.

Julian Champagnie (13 pts, 3 3PM, 2 stl) has put up his best scoring game of the series already.

18-15 Spurs with 3:59 to go in the first quarter.

MAY 26, 2026 / 8:42 ET

Spurs out to an early lead

11-6 San Antonio with 7:56 to go in the first quarter.

Julian Champagnie (6 pts, 2 3PM) is hot from 3-point range early, which is a welcome change for the Spurs.

Chet Holmgren (4 pts, 3 reb) is the lead scorer for OKC in the opening moments.

Both teams are looking for flow, combining for seven quick turnovers.

MAY 26, 2026 / 8:00 ET

A flash back to 2018

MAY 26, 2026 / 6:00 ET

Starting Lineups: Spurs-Thunder, Game 5

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are hosting the Spurs in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals tonight on NBC and Peacock.

San Antonio:

  • PG De’Aaron Fox
    • Fox (12 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast) committed zero turnovers in Game 4, aiding the Spurs as an experienced floor general.
  • SG Stephon Castle
    • Castle’s had one turnover in each of the last two games after committing 20 in the first two. That’s a game-changer for San Antonio.
  • SF Devin Vassell
    • Vassell is making 3.5 of 7.8 3PA (45.2%) so far in this series, while adding athletic length defensively for San Antonio. He’s been one of the Spurs’ most important players.
  • PF Julian Champagnie
    • Champagnie is +15 in this series — fourth on the team — despite making just 1.5 of 7.8 3PA (19.4%) per game.
  • C Victor Wembanyama
    • The Alien is shooting 52.6/42.9/88.2 from the field so far in this series — gaudy numbers, especially when you stand 7-foot-4. The Spurs are 2-0 in this series when he takes 20+ shots.

Oklahoma City:

  • PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
    • SGA has held Castle to 10 pts on 2-for-9 shooting so far in this series over 52.3 partial possessions. We’ll see if the Thunder try that more with Ajay Mitchell ailing.
  • SG Luguentz Dort
    • Dort has defended basically everyone on the Spurs in this series. But he’s -41 overall — by far the worst on the team — with Jared McCain, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace all cutting into his minutes.
  • SF Jalen Williams
    • J-Dub is back after being deemed questionable with a hamstring strain. If healthy, he’s a problem for anyone on San Antonio to defend.
  • PF Chet Holmgren
    • Holmgren is just 3-for-9 (33.3%) from 3-point range in this series, taking fewer attempts than Jaylin Williams (19) and Isaiah Joe (10). Let it fly!
  • C Isaiah Hartenstein
    • I-Hart’s defense against Wembanyama swung Game 2, but the Thunder went away from it in Games 3 and 4, focusing on pushing him away from the basket. We’ll see how they seek to defend The Alien tonight.

MAY 25, 2026 / 6:15 ET

Tuesday’s injury report

Ajay Mitchell and Thomas Sorber are out for the Thunder, while Jalen Williams is questionable.

Mitchell has a right calf strain, while Williams is recovering from a left hamstring strain.

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