The decisive moment
The Spurs flipped the game in the third quarter, grabbing the lead for good with 8:39 left in the period. From there, San Antonio never relinquished control on its way to a 111-103 victory over Oklahoma City.
By the numbers
- Final: San Antonio 111, Oklahoma City 103 (8-point margin)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): 35 PTS, 4 REB, 9 AST
- Victor Wembanyama (SA): 22 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST
- Julian Champagnie (SA): 20 PTS, 6 REB, 1 AST
- Cason Wallace (OKC): 17 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST
Gilgeous-Alexander did everything he could to keep the Thunder afloat, but Wembanyama and Champagnie combined for 42 points to power the San Antonio offense.
What it means
This was a statement effort from San Antonio in the 2025-26 NBA Playoffs, with Wembanyama anchoring both ends and Champagnie providing a crucial scoring lift. For Oklahoma City, a 35-point, nine-assist night from Gilgeous-Alexander wasn't enough to overcome the Spurs' depth and their decisive third-quarter surge.
San Antonio managed the win despite being shorthanded, playing without Drew Eubanks, Keegan Murray and De'Andre Hunter, all of whom are sidelined. That the Spurs absorbed those absences and still controlled the second half speaks to the contributions up and down the rotation.
What to watch next
Eyes now turn to whether Gilgeous-Alexander can drag the Thunder back, and whether Wembanyama can keep tilting games with his two-way presence. The next meeting between these two should hinge on which side wins the middle quarters.