Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder top Spurs for important Game 5 victory

The Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back from their worst game of the season with a pivotal response at home, winning 127-114 over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday.

Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a game-high 32 points with nine assists to lead the Thunder, who recovered wonderfully from posting a season low in points and field goal percentage in Game 4. OKC again was without star forward Jalen Williams (left hamstring) and Ajay Mitchell (right calf strain).

But once again, the Thunder’s depth showed up and overpowered the Spurs. Alex Caruso scored 22 points off the bench. Jared McCain scored 17, Chet Holmgren had 16 points with 11 rebounds, and Isaiah Hartenstein added 12 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.

Stephon Castle led three Spurs in double-figure scoring with 24 points. Julian Champagnie had 22 points and eight rebounds. Victor Wembanyama scored 20 points on a rough 4-for-15 shooting, and he went 0-for-5 from 3-point range.

Here are some takeaways with Game 6 set for Thursday in San Antonio.

OKC defense making life for Wemby tough

The Spurs need the best out of Victor Wembanyama every night to win this battle of titans, but it’s just not happening. He has been great at times, but has struggled to impose himself at others.

Credit to Isaiah Hartenstein, who has played the best defense on Wembanyama that we’ve seen. He’s not letting Wemby get to spots comfortably or drive toward the rim. He’s not even letting Wemby get off those long-step floaters at an angle that’s comfortable. Wembanyama is struggling to even tip rebounds to his teammates. All of it has been difficult for Wemby and the Spurs to pull off consistently.

Meanwhile, the Thunder are winning the majority of the 50/50 plays and have a clearer sense of how they want to execute offensively. The Spurs keep taking the bait on the gaps the Thunder defense does yield, then watching the ball get deflected or even intercepted. San Antonio’s half-court offense continues to operate in a tangle of Thunder defenders that has taken the Spurs out of their comfort zone.

Wembanyama is the person who can break through this, but it didn’t happen in Game 5. They now need it from him two games in a row if the Spurs want to turn this series around, but it hasn’t happened so far against the best defense in the game. — Jared Weiss