Spurs Fall To Thunder 122-113 In Game Two Of WCF; Series Even 1-1

The Spurs and Thunder avoided the drama they produced in Game One of the Western Conference Finals, but the Spurs might have preferred the chaos.

Stephon Castle's 25 points and Victor Wembanyama's 21-point, 17 rebound double-doble was not enough, as the San Antonio Spurs fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-113 in Game Two of the Western Conference Finals.

The two heavyweights once again exchanged blows in the first quarter, trading the lead a total of twelve times in the opening frame. By the end of the quarter, the Spurs and Thunder were deadlocked 31-31.

Jordan McLaughlin, who only scored 89 points all season coming into the series, splashed home a three near the end of the quarter that kept things level.

The Spurs shot just 45-percent from the floor in the first quarter but were helped by going 5-for-10 from long range in the period.

Things got off to a rocky start though in the second quarter for San Antonio, as the Thunder ripped off a 7-0 run to take a 38-31 lead, keeping it a seven-point lead midway through the frame. But the Spurs would battle back, cutting the Thunder lead down to four at one point.

Stephon Castle provided the highlight of the quarter, throwing down a ferocious dunk over Isaiah Hartenstein.

The Thunder though would rattle off another run to extend their advantage to eleven, taking a 62-51 lead into halftime. Turnovers hurt the Spurs in the second quarter, as they gave the ball away six times in the period. The Thunder outscored the Spurs 31-20 in the second frame.

The Spurs came out firing in the second half, however, going on a 14-4 run to tie the game up four minutes into the third quarter. Victor Wembanyama capped off the run with one of his 3 three pointers.

Oklahoma City though would punch back, regaining a four-point lead with five minutes to go in the period. The Thunder added a 12-4 run late in the quarter, but the Spurs would counter with a quick 6-0 run to cut the deficit to three. The Thunder would ultimately get a couple buckets before the buzzer sounded take a 96-88 lead into the final frame.

San Antonio would come out roaring in the fourth quarter, starting off with a 9-3 run to bring the deficit to two. But another 11-0 Thunder run pushed the lead back to nine with five minutes to play.

Keldon Johnson did his part to try and keep the Spurs alive.

From there, Oklahoma City closed out the game.

The Spurs, unlike Game One, were outrebounded by the defending champions 50-49, including 17-16 on the offensive glass. San Antonio also shot 40-percent from three-point range.

But the turnovers would be the difference, as the Spurs coughed up the ball 21 times, resulting in 27 Thunder points.

The Thunder were led by MVP Shai-Gilgeous Alexander's 30-points and nine assists. Alex Caruso pitched in another 17 points, hitting three shots from long range.

The series is now even 1-1 and will shift back to the Lone Star State. Game Three is set for Friday night in San Antonio.