The Oklahoma City Thunder reigned supreme in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference Finals, despite the San Antonio Spurs racing into an early lead.
The Spurs scored the first 15 points of the game, the longest scoring run to begin a conference finals game since play-by-play tracking began in the 1997-98 season.
But Oklahoma City responded to silence the crowd and secure a 123-108 win to move 2-1 ahead in the series.
“Down 15 at any point in time, alarms are going off,” said Thunder guard Alex Caruso. “You need to make a play now; you don’t have time to wait.”
The defending champions turned to their bench for inspiration and quickly swung momentum in their favour. Oklahoma City’s reserves dominated, outscoring San Antonio’s bench 76-23, the highest bench-scoring total in a conference finals or NBA Finals game since starters were first officially tracked in 1971.
Reserve guard Jared McCain led the way with a playoff career-high 24 points in just 27 minutes. Backup forward Jaylin Williams added 18 points and hit five of his six attempts from three-point range, while Caruso contributed 15 points and guard Cason Wallace chipped in with 11.
McCain earns praise from Gilgeous-Alexander
The Thunder were again without star wing Jalen Williams because of left hamstring soreness, but their depth continued to be the difference.
“We’re going to throw another punch,” McCain said. “We’re going to come back.”
“You just have a bunch of guys that are willing to do whatever the team needs,” Jaylin Williams added. “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.”
McCain, acquired from Philadelphia at the trade deadline despite having no previous playoff experience, impressed with his fearless attacking play. Although he shot only 2-of-10 from three-point range, he scored 16 points in the paint and repeatedly attacked San Antonio’s defence off the dribble.
“He just oozes confidence,” reigning MVP Shai 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.”
Wembanyama finished with 26 points for the Spurs but was limited to 8-of-15 shooting as Oklahoma City’s physical defence gradually took control of the game.
