Thunder answer back behind Shai, physical Game 2 effort

The Oklahoma City Thunder looked a whole lot more like themselves in Game 2.

After dropping a double-overtime heartbreaker in the opener, Oklahoma City responded Wednesday night with a 122-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs to even the Western Conference finals at a game apiece.

It started with MVP-level control from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder, Spurs, NBA
Getty

SGA finished with 30 points, nine assists, two blocks and just one turnover, repeatedly calming things whenever San Antonio threatened to make a push.

The Thunder also got a huge lift from Isaiah Hartenstein, who brought a level of physicality that clearly bothered Victor Wembanyama at times.

Hartenstein grabbed 13 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass, helping Oklahoma City generate extra possessions all night.

That mattered because the Spurs actually shot the ball well enough to stay in it.

They just couldn’t stop turning it over.

Stephon Castle scored 25 points and continued flashing star potential, but he also committed nine turnovers one game after coughing it up 11 times in the opener. San Antonio finished with 21 turnovers overall, and against the Thunder, that’s usually a death sentence.

Wembanyama still stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocks, though Oklahoma City did a much better job forcing him away from easy spots near the basket.

The bigger concern for the Spurs may be health.

Dylan Harper exited with an injury, while De’Aaron Fox remains sidelined.

Now the series heads to San Antonio tied 1-1, with Game 3 set for Friday night.

Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?

Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!

Leave a Reply