Every part is tied up heading into Recreation 5 of the Western Convention Finals. The San Antonio Spurs performed stout protection in opposition to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder on their solution to a 103-82 victory in Recreation 4. Now the Spurs have to win two of the subsequent three video games, together with one on the highway, to achieve the NBA Finals for the primary time since 2014.
San Antonio made a serious adjustment within the Recreation 4 win. The Spurs doubled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander early and infrequently within the first three video games of the sequence. That will have neutralized SGA’s impression to an extent, nevertheless it additionally led to extra open photographs for the Thunder’s function gamers. In Recreation 4, the Spurs guarded Gilgeous-Alexander 1-on-1 and despatched mild assistance on drives. The outcome was a 19-point sport for SGA and a 6-33 night time from deep for OKC.
The playoffs are all about changes and counter-adjustments. The Thunder will definitely come out with an answer to San Antonio’s protection. They’ll must do it with out key ball-handlers. Ajay Mitchell is out with a calf pressure, and Jalen Williams is questionable as he offers together with his hamstring damage.
Each playoff sport is a “must-win,” however Recreation 5 feels notably essential. Defeating a shorthanded OKC squad on the highway with two possibilities to clinch the sequence would put the Spurs in a robust place to advance to the Finals. They’ll want one other dominant defensive efficiency to steal Recreation 5 on the highway.
Might twenty sixth, 2026 | 7:30 PM CT
Watch: NBC / Peacock | Pay attention: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: No accidents to report.
Thunder Accidents: Thomas Sorber – Out (knee), Ajay Mitchell – Out (calf), Jalen Williams – Questionable (hamstring)
The Spurs outscored the Thunder within the paint 50-36 in Recreation 4. Up to now within the playoffs, if San Antonio can management the battle on the inside, they usually can win the sport. The Thunder have been good at preserving Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs’ guards from dominating inside. In Recreation 4, Wembanyama was in a position to rating by means of or over Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, whereas the guards did a greater job getting downhill, notably within the pick-and-roll. Outscoring the Thunder inside once more might be essential to successful Recreation 5.
One of the best half about having De’Aaron Fox again within the lineup is the calming presence he brings alongside Stephon Fort and Dylan Harper. San Antonio has been significantly better at valuing possessions since Fox returned to the lineup in Recreation Three. The Spurs had simply 13 turnovers in Recreation 4. OKC is at its greatest when it could possibly create turnovers and rating straightforward buckets in transition. San Antonio’s protection is already suffocating sufficient. They will’t give the Thunder breaks by turning the ball over and letting them get straightforward photographs.
Julian Champagnie has been ice-cold within the Convention Finals. He’s taking pictures 19.4% from three-point vary within the sequence. San Antonio desperately wants him to begin hitting photographs. The Thunder have loaded up on Wembanyama and the Spurs’ guards. Devin Vassell has taken benefit of the shortage of defensive consideration. If Champagnie can comply with go well with, San Antonio’s offense could possibly be set for an explosion in Recreation 5.
