All articles tagged with #2026 playoffs west final or okc 1 vs sas 2
San Antonio will not ride Victor Wembanyama for every minute as they trail Oklahoma City 2-1 in the Western Conference Finals; OKC’s depth has dominated when Wembanyama rests, including a 76-23 edge from the Thunder’s bench in Game 3, while the Spurs deal with injuries to De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper and search for schematic fixes for Game 4 without sacrificing their team identity.
Thunder guard Jalen Williams left the second half of Game 2 in the Western Conference Finals with left hamstring tightness and did not return, prompting Cason Wallace to start the second half; Oklahoma City beat San Antonio 122-113 to even the series at 1-1 and Williams will be evaluated on Thursday. Williams has missed extensive time this season with hamstring injuries, and Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander acknowledged the impact of his absence.
OKC enters the West Final with a league-best 64-win season and a deep 10-man rotation led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, aiming to hold off a Spurs team powered by Victor Wembanyama. OKC’s depth and efficient defense have powered wins over Phoenix and the Lakers, while San Antonio’s defense and Wembanyama’s dynamic impact pose a serious challenge. The series will test how the Thunder guard Wembanyama and whether the Spurs can steal a game or two; prediction: Thunder in six.