Wembanyama Vows To Be More Team-focused As Spurs Trail Thunder 2-1 In Western Conference Finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder moved 2-1 ahead in the Western Conference finals after a 123-108 road win over the San Antonio Spurs, leaving San Antonio two defeats from elimination and setting up a pivotal Game 4 at Frost Bank Center on Sunday.

Oklahoma City achieved the result despite conceding the first 15 points, becoming the only NBA team in the last 20 years, in regular season or playoffs, to give up at least the opening 15 points yet still win by 15 or more.

The statistical contrast between the benches highlighted the gap on the night. The Thunder’s reserves produced 76 points, while the Spurs’ second unit scored just 23, placing huge pressure on Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio starters to keep pace with Oklahoma City’s depth.

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Wembanyama finished with 26 points, four rebounds and three assists, shooting 8-of-15 from the field, yet the impact did not translate into a win, and San Antonio could not sustain the early surge that created the 15-0 opening burst.

After the defeat, Wembanyama accepted personal responsibility for San Antonio’s struggle to match Oklahoma City’s all-round play, acknowledging difficulties in raising the level of those around Wembanyama during this Western Conference finals matchup.

"I feel like I'm having trouble making my team-mates better right now," Wembanyama said. "My shooting splits aren't terrible, but I need to be more of a team player, facilitate better, rebound the ball better, push their defense a little bit further and see how much I'm neededto help my team-mates and [then] feed them."

On the other side, NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also recorded 26 points but was part of a more balanced scoring effort, with six Oklahoma City players finishing in double figures, underlining why the Thunder now control the Western Conference finals series.

Western Conference finals: Oklahoma City Thunder depth and mindset

Forward Jaylin Williams highlighted how Oklahoma City’s depth and readiness have grown over the campaign, especially through injury setbacks that forced rotation players to step in and contribute throughout this Western Conference finals run.

"You just have a bunch of guys that are willing to do whatever the team needs," he said. "Unluckily, we've dealt with a lot of injuries throughout the year, but it's built us. It's built us as a team. It's built us as players to be ready for the moment and be ready when your name is called."

Rookie guard Jared McCain delivered 24 points in only 27 minutes, ranking second on Oklahoma City’s scoring list behind Gilgeous-Alexander and offering another efficient option for the Thunder in this Western Conference finals contest.

Gilgeous-Alexander praised McCain’s mentality and consistency, describing why McCain has become a reliable contributor in Oklahoma City’s Western Conference finals rotation.

"He just oozes confidence," Gilgeous-Alexander said of McCain. "He knows exactly who he is. He knows exactly what he does, and he goes out there and does it no matter what. When the ball goes in or out, he makes the next play, makes the best play for himself and for the guys out there. He's always aggressive, poised and attacks the moment."

Game 4, also in San Antonio on Sunday, offers the Spurs a chance to level the Western Conference finals, while a Thunder victory would give Oklahoma City an opportunity to secure a place in the NBA Finals on Tuesday.