Thunder Erase 15-0 Deficit, To Take 2-1 Western Conference Finals Lead

The Oklahoma City Thunder staged a stunning comeback in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference finals, overcoming a 15-0 deficit in the first three minutes to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 123-108 on the road.

The victory gives the Thunder a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, seizing control after dropping the opener.

Playing at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center, the Spurs stormed out of the gate with a flawless 15-0 run, threatening to blow the game open immediately. But Oklahoma City responded with ruthless efficiency, chipping away at the lead before pulling away decisively in the second half.

The Thunder’s bench proved to be the difference, scoring a staggering 76 points — the most by any team in a conference finals game since the NBA adopted the 16-team playoff format in 1984.

Spurs Victor Wembanyama led his team with 24 points, but the 22-year-old superstar was visibly frustrated afterward, pointing to his own limitations rather than his shooting.

In Game 1 of the series, Wembanyama became the youngest player in NBA history to record a 40-point, 20-rebound playoff game, powering the Spurs to a 122-115 win. He followed that with 21 points and 17 rebounds in Game 2, a 122-113 loss.

But on Friday night, despite his 24 points, no other Spur outside of Devin Russell (20 points) managed more than 15 points, highlighting San Antonio’s lack of secondary scoring.

For the Thunder, two-time reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander orchestrated the attack with 26 points and 12 assists. Jared McCain added 24 points off the bench, part of a reserve unit that overwhelmed the Spurs’ defense with relentless pace and outside shooting.

Game 4 remains at the Frost Bank Center on Sunday night (Monday 01:00 GMT). The winner of the Western Conference finals will advance to the NBA Finals, where they will meet either the New York Knicks or the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Finals are scheduled to begin on June 4.