1 week ago 
The Western Conference finals are headed backmost to Oklahoma City for a decisive Game 7 aft Victor Wembanyama delivered a ascendant effect successful the biggest crippled of San Antonio’s season. Facing elimination Thursday night, the Spurs overwhelmed the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-91 astatine Frost Bank Center, evening the bid astatine 3-3 down a wire-to-wire show fueled by defense, rebounding and a accelerated commencement from their franchise star.
Wembanyama finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals successful conscionable 28 minutes, helping San Antonio prehend power aboriginal and ne'er relinquish it. The 22-year-old deed his archetypal 3 attempts from beyond the arc and had 22 points by halftime aft disapproval surrounding his quieter showing successful Game 5.
The Spurs turned the crippled into a rout during a ascendant 3rd quarter, outscoring Oklahoma City 32-13 to nonstop a roaring location assemblage into solemnisation and widen 1 of the NBA’s astir anticipated playoff matchups. Stephon Castle added 17 points, 5 rebounds and 9 assists, continuing his standout postseason run, portion rookie Dylan Harper scored 18 points disconnected the bench. San Antonio held the Thunder to 36.8% shooting and forced Oklahoma City into 1 of its worst violative performances of the playoffs.
The Thunder, who entered the nighttime with a accidental to clinch their 2nd consecutive NBA Finals appearance, struggled to make discourtesy from the opening tip. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league’s two-time reigning MVP, was constricted to 15 points connected 6-of-18 shooting and went scoreless from 3-point range. Oklahoma City finished conscionable 10-for-40 from deep.
San Antonio’s defence repeatedly crowded Gilgeous-Alexander with aggregate defenders, disrupting the bushed that had carried the Thunder passim overmuch of the postseason. Oklahoma City besides continued dealing with wellness concerns surrounding cardinal contributors. Jalen Williams returned aft missing 3 games due to the fact that of a hamstring wounded but logged lone constricted minutes and scored 1 point.
Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday nighttime successful Oklahoma City, with the victor advancing to look the New York Knicks successful the NBA Finals.
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