Spurs outlast Thunder in double-overtime playoff opener
OKLAHOMA CITY (Interstat) — Victor Wembanyama had 41 points and 24 rebounds, Dylan Harper finished with 24 points and a team playoff-record seven steals, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 in a double-overtime classic to open the Western Conference finals Monday night.
Wembanyama sealed it with a pair of dunks in the final minute, one of them leading to a three-point play as the Spurs stole home-court advantage. Stephon Castle added 17 points, Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson each scored 13 and Julian Champagnie had 11 for San Antonio, which played without De’Aaron Fox.
Alex Caruso scored 31 points for the Thunder, Jalen Williams added 26 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 24 points and 12 assists. The game featured six lead changes in the fourth quarter and overtime before Wembanyama dominated the second extra period. Attendance at Paycom Center was 18,203. San Antonio improved to 71-24; Oklahoma City fell to 72-19. Game 2 is Wednesday night in Oklahoma City.