Thunder vs Spurs Recap: OKC takes Game 3 to lead series

The Spurs came out firing at home. De'Aaron Fox drove down the lane for an easy layup. Victor Wembanyama stepped back and drained a three-pointer. Devin Vassell dropped another three. San Antonio sprinted to a 15-0 lead before the Thunder even blinked. You could feel the energy in the arena — the Spurs were moving fast and sharp. But Oklahoma City didn't panic. Isaiah Hartenstein answered with a jump shot. Alex Caruso buried a three-pointer. Jaylin Williams hit another three. The Thunder chipped away piece by piece. Jared McCain's stepback jumper cut it to 24-19. Wembanyama answered with a three at the buzzer to end the quarter. San Antonio led 31-24 heading to the second quarter. The Spurs' early explosion set the tone, but the Thunder's balance kept them close.

The second quarter turned into a shooting battle. Chet Holmgren drained a three-pointer to tie it 31-31. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit a stepback three to give Oklahoma City the lead. Jaylin Williams fired in another three for the Thunder. Back and forth they went. Carter Bryant answered with a three for San Antonio. Then Cason Wallace drove for a layup. Stephon Castle hit a three to retake the lead 39-37. But the Thunder kept rolling. Chet Holmgren threw down an alley-oop. Shai hit a fadeaway. Isaiah Joe buried a three. By halftime, Oklahoma City had pulled ahead 58-51. Jared McCain's stepback jumper helped spark the Thunder's second-half explosion. San Antonio couldn't match the Thunder's depth and firepower down the stretch of the half.

The third quarter belonged entirely to Oklahoma City. Chet Holmgren dunked hard twice. Alex Caruso hit a three-pointer. Jared McCain drained a three and then a layup. By the end of three, the Thunder led 95-84 and the game was over. San Antonio couldn't stop the bleeding. Victor Wembanyama kept scoring, but it wasn't enough. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander controlled the pace. The fourth quarter was just cleanup. McCain hit another three. Jaylin Williams launched a three-pointer from distance. The Thunder's defense suffocated the Spurs. Luke Kornet and Julian Champagnie scored for San Antonio, but Oklahoma City kept pulling away. Final score: 123-108. The Thunder took Game 3 and now lead the series 3-1 heading into Game 4. Depth, defense, and firepower — that's why Oklahoma City remains the team to beat.