New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 ><\/a><\/b>Victor <\/p>\n\u201cI was thinking shoot to score,\u201d Wembanyama said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI wasn\u2019t messing around at halftime.\u201d<\/p>\n
That moment summed up the game at Frost Bank Center. The Spurs took control early, never let go, and leaned on their rising superstar to dismantle the defending champions from the opening quarter.<\/p>\n
Wembanyama produced 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals in a complete two-way performance, continuing a postseason stretch that is fast turning him into one of the league\u2019s defining forces.<\/p>\n
San Antonio came out swinging with a 16-0 run that immediately put Oklahoma City on the back foot, and the margin ballooned to as much as 25 points as the game slipped away from the visitors. Wembanyama\u2019s halfcourt buzzer-beater at the end of the second quarter pushed the lead to 12 at the break and blew the roof off the arena.<\/p>\n
From there, the Spurs locked in defensively and dictated terms.<\/p>\n
Oklahoma City never found any rhythm, shooting just 33 per cent from the field and a dismal 6-of-33 from deep. San Antonio\u2019s pressure created constant problems, forcing 20 turnovers that were turned into 25 points, effectively breaking the game open.<\/p>\n
Two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 19 points on 6-of-15 shooting, unable to find his usual control over the contest. Isaiah Hartenstein added 12 points and Chet Holmgren 10, but the Thunder\u2019s offence stalled for long stretches under relentless pressure.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) reacts in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort, left, and centre Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series in San Antonio, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo\/Eric Gay)<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Spurs, by contrast, moved the ball with purpose and clarity, finishing with 26 assists as a team and repeatedly finding high-quality looks inside. Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle chipped in 13 points each, while the depth across the roster kept Oklahoma City on the back foot all game.<\/p>\n
Even limited minutes off the bench carried impact, with Kelly Olynyk grabbing three steals in just four minutes of action.<\/p>\n<\/amp-img>San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) scores a basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Kenrich Williams during the second half of Game 4 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series in San Antonio, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP Photo\/Eric Gay)<\/span>Source: AP<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWembanyama said the adjustments between games were a key part of the Spurs\u2019 response.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s definitely similarities [between basketball and chess], as in any strategy game,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very fun. In the playoffs, at some point, especially when a series drags on, everybody knows the other team almost by heart. It\u2019s different. I would say the coaches hold a lot of the load of the chess match, the coaching staff. All of the strategy, it\u2019s a lot. They [watch] a lot of film, they work really hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
For San Antonio, the win was another statement that their young core is arriving faster than expected. For Oklahoma City, it was a sobering reminder of how quickly a series can swing when the Spurs are locked in on both ends.<\/p>\n
Game 5 now heads back to Oklahoma City on Wednesday, with momentum firmly back with San Antonio.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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