Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 30 points and added nine assists, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 122-113 in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals Wednesday, tying the series at 1-1.The Thunder overcame the loss of Jalen Williams, who exited the game after rejoining the Thunder’s lineup in Game 1 for the first time since the first round of the playoffs. Alex Caruso scored 17 points to lead four Thunder bench players in double-digit scoring. Isaiah Hartenstein added 10 points and 13 rebounds for Oklahoma City.Stephon Castle scored a team-high 25 points and had eight assists for the Spurs, but he turned it over nine times after a franchise playoff-record 11 turnovers in Game 1. Victor Wembanyama scored 21 points and added 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots in the loss.The Spurs also saw rookie guard Dylan Harper exit the game with an injury.Here are some takeaways with Game 3 set for Friday night in San Antonio.Hartenstein gets double-double, frustrates WembyHartenstein played 12 minutes in a double-overtime game two nights ago. He more than doubled those minutes Wednesday, and proved infinitely more impactful.In Wednesday’s win for the Thunder, he snagged eight offensive rebounds, one fewer than Oklahoma City collected as a team on Monday. He pushed Wembanyama, a galactic threat inside 10 feet, further from the rim. He matched physicality. He set bruising screens. He extended possessions.More than anything, he made winning plays and proved to be playable after appearing questionable in Game 1. He gave Wembanyama an obstacle, which previously seemed like a prayer. — Joel Lorenzi, Thunder writerSpurs dealing with injuries at guard playThe Spurs need their guards to win this series. They’re down two of them and couldn’t keep their offense consistent enough to keep up with SGA on Wednesday.
Thunder even the series with a Game 2 victory over Spurs
A hard-fought Game 2 ended with the Oklahoma City Thunder evening their Western Conference finals series against the San Antonio Spurs.










