Game 1 between the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder lived up to its billing, with the Spurs emerging victorious after an epic battle, thanks to a stellar performance from Victor Wembanyama, to take a 1-0 lead in the Conference Finals.
Prior to the game, it was announced that the Spurs would be without De’Aaron Fox, who was still dealing with ankle issues that had plagued him during their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Head Coach Mitch Johnson opted to insert highly touted prospect Dylan Harper into the starting lineup in his place.
The 20-year-old Harper joined a starting five that included Stephon Castle (21), Devin Vassell (25), Julian Champagnie (24), and Victor Wembanyama (22). This marked the youngest starting lineup in Conference Finals history, and it was just the first of many historical moments on this night, which evolved into an ‘Instant Classic’.
Oklahoma City Thunder (W1) — San Antonio Spurs (W2) 115:122 2OT — Series: 0-1
The first quarter hinted that the pre-game hype of a potential Finals preview was well-founded. Both teams battled fiercely, with both defenses forcing numerous turnovers and contested shots. The opening period concluded in a deadlock (27:27), before the Spurs managed to establish a slight lead by halftime (51:44).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was honored with his second MVP award just before the game, struggled to find his rhythm (4 PTS, 1/5 FG, 2 TO). Only Alex Caruso managed to connect on more than one three-pointer for OKC before the break. The 44 points scored by OKC were their lowest point total of the season.
However, the Thunder found their shooting touch during the halftime break and staged a comeback in the third quarter with several successful long-range shots. By the end of the period, the young Spurs had regained control (80:73). In the final quarter, the Texans held a lead of over ten points with less than ten minutes remaining, but the drama was just beginning.
Echoes of Curry’s Legendary Shot: Wemby Forces Second Overtime
After a series of clutch shots from both sides, Jalen Williams, who had missed the entire Lakers series due to injury, tied the game at 97:97 with 1:12 remaining in regulation. Both Harper and SGA calmly made their free throws, and then Wembanyama, with an audacious floater off the wrong foot, seemed to hit the game-winner with just 12 seconds left.
However, Mark Daigneault drew up a brilliant play in the timeout, allowing Gilgeous-Alexander to drive to the basket and tie the game once again. The Spurs and Wemby had mere seconds to secure an early victory. But Chet Holmgren flew in to block the potential buzzer-beater from close range, forcing the game into its first overtime.
The high intensity and pressure began to take its toll on both teams, leading to several turnovers and missed shots. Castle provided the first spark in overtime with a spectacular dunk, as the Spurs started with a 4:0 run. OKC responded with a 7:0 run, taking a 108:105 lead with 58 seconds left in what appeared to be the final moments.
The subsequent possessions yielded no scores until Wemby, after a rebound, evoked memories of Stephen Curry’s legendary game-winner. With incredible confidence, Wemby pulled up from an absurd distance and hit the tying three – Bang! The game was far from over, and for the first time since 1976, the Western Conference Finals were headed into a second overtime.
41 and 15: The Wemby Madness in Numbers
The players on the court were determined to continue the spectacle. Although the Spurs missed their first three attempts, they again started strong with a 4:0 run thanks to Wemby. Cason Wallace answered from deep, Harper converted an and-one, Williams hit a three, and Wembanyama sealed a basket with a foul. The Spurs led 118:114.
The Spurs repeatedly shut down the opponent’s rim, and Castle found Wemby with a lob, leading to the Frenchman’s play that sealed the decision in the dramatic contest. It was a fitting end for the man of the match, whose ‘alien’ stats were simply inhuman. Wemby posted an incredible stat line in his first game on such a grand stage: 41 points (14/25 FG, 1/2 3FG, 12/13 FT), 24 rebounds (9 OR), 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal.
A 40-20 game in the Conference Finals had previously only been achieved by Moses Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Charles Barkley. Harper was the second-highest scorer for the Spurs with 21 points (8/20 FG, 1/7 3FG). The rookie also filled the box score with 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and 7 steals (a rookie record in the Conference Finals).
Harper is now the only player besides Larry Bird and Julius Erving to achieve a 20-10-5-5 stat line in a playoff ‘semifinal’. Stephon Castle also recorded a double-double with 17 points and 11 assists, but also committed 11 turnovers. Overall, the Spurs lost the turnover battle (21:14) and were outshot from three-point range (Spurs: 30.2% 3FG, Thunder: 37.8% 3FG).
However, Mitch Johnson’s team dominated in rebounding (61:40) and made eleven more free throws.
SGA Struggles, Caruso Shines, and Hartenstein Remains Understated
For OKC, only three players scored in double figures. Gilgeous-Alexander (24), Williams (26), and Caruso (31) all surpassed the 20-point mark. Caruso achieved a career-high in the postseason, hitting eight of his fourteen three-point attempts. His other stats (2 REB, 1 AST, 2 STL, 2 BLK) don’t fully capture his impact, as he consistently made crucial plays and played a strong defensive game against Wemby.
While Caruso came off the bench for over half an hour of playing time, Isaiah Hartenstein, despite starting, played only twelve understated minutes (2 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST).
SGA, meanwhile, grabbed 5 steals and dished out 12 assists, showing improvement after a difficult first half. However, his shooting percentages were far from his usual efficiency (7/23 FG, 2/7 3FG, 8/9 FT). «We just have to be better – and that starts with me,» the Canadian admitted self-critically after the game.
The opportunity for redemption is already close at hand. Game 2 of the series will be played at the Paycom Center on Thursday night.