By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tallying game-highs of 32 points and nine assists, the Oklahoma City Thunder steadily pulled away to prevail, 127–114, against the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center on Tuesday, taking a 3–2 lead in the Western Conference Finals of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google.
Following six early lead changes in Game 5, which included the visitors opening up an eight-point cushion midway through the first quarter, the defending champions asserted their control. Limiting French superstar Victor Wembanyama for large stretches paved the way for the team coached by Mark Daigneault. Wemby finished with 20 points on 4-of-15 shooting from the field, while adding six rebounds, three blocks, two steals, and one assist in 38 minutes.
The Spurs initially found a spark through Julian Champagnie, who ignited for 17 points, including a stretch of 13 consecutive points in the opening period. However, they could not sustain the momentum, conceding 40 points in the second quarter and falling into a 20-point deficit shortly after the break. They refused to go quietly, stringing together a furious 14–2 run to mount a serious comeback bid and shrink the deficit. Despite the pressure, the hosts responded quickly, halting the surge to restore a double-digit cushion and secure the victory.
German center Isaiah Hartenstein started opposite Wembanyama, posting a 12-point, 15-rebound double-double plus four assists and one block across 31 minutes, with Serbian Nikola Topic checking in late in the fourth quarter. The Thunder‘s depth was tested before the game even tipped off, as Belgian Ajay Mitchell was ruled out for a second consecutive game due to a right soleus strain.
With the 23-year-old guard and Thomas Sorber on the sidelines, Jalen Williams was later downgraded to out. OKC avoided a further blow when veteran guard Alex Caruso tweaked his ankle but successfully returned after heading to the locker room for medical treatment.
Game 6 follows in Frost Bank Center on Thursday, with the Spurs looking to force a Game 7 in Oklahoma City on Saturday.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 4-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109, 93-79, 116-94)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 4-3 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120, 110-112, 114-102)
New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 4-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97, 140-89)
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-4 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113, 93-106, 100-109)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Detroit Pistons – Cleveland Cavaliers 3-4 (111-101, 107-97, 109-116, 103-112, 113-117, 115-94, 94-125)
New York Knicks – Philadelphia 76ers 4-0 (137-98, 108-102, 108-94, 144-114)
Finals (best-of-seven)
New York Knicks – Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 (115-104, 109-93, 121-108, 130-93)
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 4-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99, 98-78)
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-4 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113, 98-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 (108-90, 125-107, 131-108, 115-110)
San Antonio Spurs – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-2 (102-104, 133-95, 115-108, 109-114, 126-97, 139-109)
Finals (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – San Antonio Spurs 3-2 (115-122, 122-113, 123-108, 82-103, 127-114)
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder / San Antonio Spurs – New York Knicks
Make 
Your Preferred Basketball Source.
Add Eurohoops to Google