The Oklahoma City Thunder took the lead in the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs by showing just why they have been so formidable all season: Two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led a team effort of such depth and versatility that just one of Oklahoma City’s role players managed to outscore the entire Spurs bench. In San Antonio’s first home game of the series, at that.After a slow start, the Thunder took Game 3 comfortably, 123-108, to go up 2-1.And yet. The Spurs are still that team — the one that has had the Thunder’s number again and again. And San Antonio is still favored in Game 4, though only slightly.The Spurs are 1.5-point favorites for Sunday’s matchup, with a moneyline on FanDuel of -126 or a 55.75 percent implied chance of winning.Oklahoma City is still favored to advance past San Antonio, though, and at much stronger odds than before Game 3, moving from -160 on BetMGM to a whopping -450, or an over 80 percent likelihood of winning. Historically, the winner of Game 3 in a series tied 1-1 takes the series more than 70 percent of the time.Game 4: Oklahoma City Thunder at San Antonio Spurs
TV: NBC/PeacockTime: Sunday, 8 p.m. ETSeries odds: Thunder -450, Spurs +350Thunder lead 2-1The big question for the Spurs before their last game was whether they could get their guards healthy to open up the floor for star center Victor Wembanyama’s offense. Well, that didn’t play out exactly as hoped. De’Aaron Fox was back on the floor, though likely not at 100 percent, and his efforts weren’t enough to deliver a win.OKC saw four of their bench players score in the double digits, while not a single Spurs reserve got more than six. Jared McCain scored 24 points on 10-of-21 shooting, Jaylin Williams scored 18 and added five rebounds and Alex Caruso, who The Athletic’s John Hollinger says could easily win series MVP, added 15 points, three boards, two steals and a block. Cason Wallace contributed 11 points and three steals.Stephon Castle improved his turnover problem, giving the ball away just once in Game 3, but the Thunder still forced 15 turnovers against the Spurs.From The Athletic’s Jared Weiss: “For San Antonio to respond, the Spurs need to attack the paint with more confidence and force, and Mitch Johnson has to find cleaner, more precise ways to get Wembanyama touches in the post.”May 24, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
