Thunder erase 15-point deficit to take series lead over Spurs as Victor Wembanyama’s 26 points fall short

This post was originally published on this site.

Through the first two games of the Western Conference Finals, Spurs star Victor Wembanyama has produced numbers not seen at this stage of the postseason in roughly 50 years.

As theseries shifted to San Antoniofor Game 3 on Friday, the French basketball phenom once again led the Spurs in scoring.But his 26-point performance was not enough to give San Antonio a 2-1 series lead over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

Reigningback-to-back NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexandermatched Wembanyama with 26 points, leading Oklahoma City to a 123-108 victory.

Victor Wembanyama shooting a basketball during a game

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half of game three of the Western Conference finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on May 22, 2026.(Daniel Dunn/Imagn Images)

Shortly after Game 2 on Wednesday,Spurs guardStephon Castle acknowledged that his team is “probably most comfortable playing in front of our fans.” San Antonio quickly backed up that sentiment in Game 3, jumping out to a 15-0 lead in its first home game of the series.

ZERO BS.JUST DAKICH.TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD.DOWNLOAD NOW!

Just five minutes into the contest, the Spurs held a commanding 19-4 advantage as the home crowd created a raucous atmosphere.

Victor Wembanyama reacting during NBA Western Conference Finals game at Frost Bank Center

Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on May 22, 2026.(Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

But Oklahoma City’s bench played a pivotal role in the comeback that ultimately gave the Thunder a critical series lead.Alex Caruso, Jaylin Williams, Jared McCain and Cason Wallace were widely credited with helping swing the game.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander driving to basket past Julian Champagnie in basketball game

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket past Julian Champagnie of the San Antonio Spurs during the second quarter in Game Three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on May 22, 2026.(Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

onelink.me/xLDS?pid=AppArticleLink&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.

TheSpurs took Game 1behind 41 points and 24 rebounds from Wembanyama, and the defending champion Thunder got 30 points from Gilgeous-Alexander on the way to getting a victory in Game 2.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.