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Philippines, 23 Jul 2026 |
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2026 NBA Playoffs: Wembanyama Outshines MVP Gilgeous-Alexander as Spurs Beat Thunder 122-115 in Double Overtime Thriller By Reylan Loberternos PhilBoxing.com Wed, 20 May 2026  Tagbilaran City, Bohol – The San Antonio Spurs eked out a 122-115 double overtime victory over the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder to take Game 1 of their best-of-seven Western Conference Finals series on Monday night (Tuesday morning, Philippine time) at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. French phenom Victor Wembanyama dominated on both ends with 41 points, 24 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks in just under 49 minutes of intense action for the Spurs. He became the youngest player at 22 years and 134 days to have a 40-point, 20-rebound playoff game. Wembanyama was a plus-16 while he was on the floor, and Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson made sure that his superstar and Defensive Player of Year stayed out there as much as possible. Johnson’s starters played heavy minutes, each of them logging at least 44 and only two bench players played double-digit minutes. Meanwhile, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault tried to maximize roster depth with 10 of his wards playing double-digit minutes. However, only three of them scored in double figures led by Alex Caruso, who hit 8 treys enroute to a team-high 31 points off-the-bench. Jalen Williams added 24 markers on his return from a hamstring injury. Filipino-American rookie guard Dylan Harper displayed veteran poise for San Antonio, as he added 24 markers, 11 boards, 6 dimes, and an NBA Playoffs rookie record 7 steals. He started in place of injured All Star DeAaron Fox, who was sidelined due to an ankle sprain. Sophomore guard and 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle took primary playmaking duties and finished with 17 points on just 5-for-14 field goal shooting and 6 rebounds. He also had a steal and dished out 11 assists, but also committed 11 turnovers. He made up for his lack of efficiency on the offensive end with a masterful defense on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had his worst first half in nearly three years with just 4 points on 1-for-5 field goal shooting. The reigning back-to-back MVP however made up for his lackluster first half, as he found his grove late in regulation and finished the game with a respectable 24 markers, 3 boards, 12 dimes, 5 steals, and 1 block. San Antonio now has the precious home court advantage. Game 2 is scheduled on Wednesday night (Thursday morning, Philippine time) still at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, home of the Thunder. How They Scored: 27-27; 51-44; 80-73; 101-101; (1OT) 108-108; (2OT) 122-115 Spurs 122 – Wembanyama 41, Harper 24, Castle 17, Vassell 13, Johnson 13, Champagnie 11, Bryant 3 Thunder 115 – Caruso 31, Williams 26, Gilgeous-Alexander 24, Holmgren 8, Wallace 8, McCain 7, Dort 5, Mitchell 4, Hartenstein 2 Comments are highly appreciated. You may send them to reylanloberternos@yahoo.com.ph and you may follow me @reylan_l on twitter. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Reylan Loberternos.  |
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