Thunder bounce back to even West Finals against Spurs

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Thunder bounce back to even West Finals against Spurs image

Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images

By Rafael Bandayrel

The Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back with a 122-113 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on Thursday morning (PH time) in Oklahoma City.

The Thunder played like a team with something to prove after dropping Game 1, racing to an early double-digit lead behind reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

San Antonio, already without De'Aaron Fox, suffered another major blow when Filipino-American guard Dylan Harper exited in the second half with an apparent hamstring injury.

Despite the setback, the Spurs battled back and tied the game at 69-all in the third quarter. But just as San Antonio looked ready to seize momentum, Oklahoma City answered with another rally to regain control entering the fourth.

The Spurs made one more push early in the final frame, trimming the deficit to just two. However, OKC responded with back-to-back triples before Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Chet Holmgren combined for three straight trips to the foul line to cap a decisive 10-0 run.

Victor Wembanyama later cut the lead to five with 1:25 remaining, but a costly turnover by Stephon Castle halted the comeback attempt. Moments later, Gilgeous-Alexander buried a dagger three-pointer to finally put the game away.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 30 points, nine assists, and four rebounds. Caruso added 17 points and five assists, while Hartenstein posted 10 points and 13 rebounds.