By Greg Luca, Staff Writer | San Antonio Express-News (SAEN), 2026-05-18 22:48:23
2026年5月18日，星期一，在俄克拉荷马城佩科姆中心举行的西部决赛第一场第三节比赛中，圣安东尼奥马刺队前锋维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) (1) 运球突破俄克拉荷马城雷霆队中锋切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren) (7)。
维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 在他的首次西部决赛亮相中砍下41分24个篮板，带领马刺队在周一于俄克拉荷马城佩科姆中心进行的一场史诗级对决中，经过双加时以122-115击败雷霆队，赢得了系列赛的首场胜利。
这场NBA两支最强球队之间的重量级对决完全不负众望，双方在紧张的最后时刻不断互飙关键球，最终圣安东尼奥马刺队取得了系列赛的领先，并拿到了剩余赛程的主场优势。
文班亚马出战了职业生涯最高的49分钟，25投14中，同时贡献了3次助攻和3次盖帽，其中包括在比赛最后时刻对杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams) 的一次霸气封盖。
迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper) 顶替受伤的德阿隆·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 完成了职业生涯首次季后赛首发，砍下24分。马刺全队共有六人得分上双。
亚历克斯·卡鲁索 (Alex Caruso) 得到31分领跑俄克拉荷马城雷霆队，威廉姆斯贡献26分，联盟MVP谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) 得到24分。
第二场比赛定于周三晚上7:30在俄克拉荷马城举行，以下是第一场比赛的更新内容以及对这一历史性之夜的各方反应：
关于文班的超远三分，马刺众将如是说
文班亚马命中的14个进球中有13个是在篮下几英尺范围内完成的，但唯独那个例外将成为人们谈论最多的焦点。
在加时赛还剩不到30秒、马刺落后3分的情况下，文班亚马在转换进攻中距离篮筐28英尺处直接干拔，命中了一记扳平比分的三分球，将比赛拖入第二个加时。
“那一球我的想法是，稳住节奏，别着急，”文班亚马说道。
维克托·文班亚马谈到他在加时赛的超远三分：“那一球我只是在想，稳住节奏。但对于其他的球，有些回合我希望自己能更果断。我想那是常规时间的最后一投，我面对一个比我小得多的防守者获得了空位，我本该直接出手的。” pic.twitter.com/lMJdNxz5D2
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月19日
他的队友们则更加感到震撼。
“他的自信心爆棚。我当时有点惊呆了，”后卫迪伦·哈珀说道。“但球一离手，我就觉得，噢，这球必进。他就是这样的人，他是独一无二的。”
马刺后卫迪伦·哈珀谈到维克托·文班亚马在加时赛的超远三分：“他的自信心爆棚。我当时有点惊呆了。但球一离手，我就觉得，噢，这球必进。他就是这样的人，他是独一无二的。” pic.twitter.com/5SZbK1JgRo
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月19日
卡特·布莱恩特 (Carter Bryant) 看到球从文班亚马手中飞出时同样感到惊讶。
“我不敢相信他投了，我也不敢相信那球进了，”布莱恩特说道。“这简直太酷了。”
马刺前锋卡特·布莱恩特谈到维克托·文班亚马在加时赛的超远三分：“我不敢相信他投了，我也不敢相信那球进了。他球一出手，我就想，‘噢，他投了。噢，进了。好吧，牛。’这简直太酷了。” pic.twitter.com/T49pX4fS8v
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月19日
主教练米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson) 对文班亚马的整体表现进行了评价。
“我认为他在身体对抗和对抗中的执行力非常出色，”约翰逊说道。“他的篮板球显然是现象级的……那是极其关键的49分钟，而且大部分时间里他都保持了极高的水准。”
马刺主帅米奇·约翰逊谈到维克托·文班亚马在第一场的表现：“我认为他在身体对抗和对抗中的执行力非常出色。他的篮板球显然是现象级的……那是极其关键的49分钟，而且大部分时间里他都保持了极高的水准。” pic.twitter.com/BZnCg29MI3
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月19日
文班亚马在第一场的神勇表现后表示：“我感到很累”
在首次西决之旅中统治了职业生涯新高的49分钟后，文班亚马在赛后的一番坦白终于让他看起来像个凡人。
“身体上，老实说，我感到很累，”文班亚马说，“但没有你想象的那么累。”
维克托·文班亚马谈到他在第一场后的感受：“我觉得这是每个人共同努力的结果，从第1人到第15人都是如此。身体上，老实说，我感到很累，但没有你想象的那么累。” pic.twitter.com/AGhfaQ9v4r
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月19日
在这场注定会竞争异常激烈的系列赛中，未来还有很多硬仗要打，文班亚马告诉记者，“我们会在七月休息。”
马刺主帅米奇·约翰逊表示，他相信文班亚马受到了激励，因为他在赛前目睹了俄克拉荷马城的谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大被授予MVP奖杯。在周日公布的投票结果中，文班亚马排名第三。
但整场比赛都充满了竞争性，这符合NBA最强的两支球队在分区决赛舞台上碰撞的基调。
“在第四节末段的某个时刻，比赛感觉就像是一场意志力的较量，两支球队都展现出了极强的韧性，”约翰逊说道。“他们的腿都打飘了，但他们稳住了阵脚并强势收尾。能参与这样一场比赛真是太棒了。”
马刺主帅米奇·约翰逊谈到第一场比赛：“在第四节末段的某个时刻，比赛感觉就像是一场意志力的较量……他们的腿都打飘了，但他们稳住了阵脚并强势收尾。能参与这样一场比赛真是太棒了。” pic.twitter.com/VbljzmCiby
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月19日
哈珀在首发机会中表现出色
职业生涯首次在季后赛首发，迪伦·哈珀挺身而出，砍下24分、11个篮板、6次助攻，并创造了马刺新秀季后赛单场7次抢断的纪录，在常规赛首发德阿隆·福克斯因踝伤缺阵的情况下交出了完美答卷。
他创下了自1981年以来新秀在首次分区决赛中的最高得分纪录，并成为自1973-74赛季开始统计抢断以来，第三位在季后赛单场贡献7次或更多抢断的新秀。
“我认为他展现出了超越年龄的沉着和冷静，”马刺主帅米奇·约翰逊说道。“这些家伙都渴望获得挺身而出的机会，看到他们如此团结并积极应对挑战，真的很有趣。”
马刺主帅米奇·约翰逊谈到迪伦·哈珀：“我认为他展现出了超越年龄的沉着和冷静……这些家伙都渴望获得挺身而出的机会，看到他们如此团结并积极应对挑战，真的很有趣。” pic.twitter.com/0wqoWveJZB
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月19日
哈珀的首次季后赛体验就遇上了一场跌宕起伏的经典之战，但在比赛过程中，他从未停下来思考过这场比赛的意义或重要性。
“没想那些，我只是想赢。这是我脑子里最重要的事情，”哈珀说道。“我们所有人上场时都抱着这样的心态：如果需要打两个加时，那我们就加倍努力去赢下来。”
马刺后卫迪伦·哈珀谈到他是否意识到自己参与了一场经典对决：“没想那些，我只是想赢。这是我脑子里最重要的事情……我们所有人上场时都抱着这样的心态：如果需要打两个加时，那我们就加倍努力去赢下来。” pic.twitter.com/S8OGPyfsyM
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月19日
马刺努力限制SGA
在常规赛场均砍下31.1分并投出55.3%命中率从而荣膺MVP后，俄克拉荷马城的谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大在第一场对阵圣安东尼奥的比赛中，苦战51分钟仅得到24分，23投7中（30.4%）。
“尽一切可能让他打得难受，”马刺前锋卡特·布莱恩特说道。“他是个极其出色的球员。他能当选MVP是有原因的。就是要明白他是一个非常、非常、非常优秀的球员。我只是在努力让他打得艰难。”
马刺前锋卡特·布莱恩特谈到防守谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大：“尽一切可能让他打得难受。他是个极其出色的球员。他能当选MVP是有原因的。就是要明白他是一个非常、非常、非常优秀的球员。我只是在努力让他打得艰难。” pic.twitter.com/KY5Kai64W9
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月19日
哈珀上篮让马刺在第二个加时赛末段取得领先
迪伦·哈珀突破上篮得手，让马刺在第二个加时赛还剩2:04时以114-111领先，并且在遭到谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大和亚历克斯·卡鲁索的面部撞击后，他还将获得一次罚球机会。
谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大和雷霆队还剩下什么样的反击手段？
文班超远三分将第一场拖入第二个加时
维克托·文班亚马在距离三分线很远的地方干拔命中，在加时赛还剩26.3秒时投进三分，将西部决赛第一场拖入第二个加时，双方战成108平。俄克拉荷马城的这场比赛太精彩了。
紧张收尾后进入加时赛
圣安东尼奥马刺在常规时间还剩3.1秒时传球给维克托·文班亚马的战术被切特·霍姆格伦封盖，西部决赛第一场以101平进入加时赛。
文班亚马在还剩11.5秒时命中一记转身抛投，帮助马刺取得领先，但谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大随后以一记突破上篮还以颜色，在还剩3.1秒时扳平比分。
马刺、雷霆在末段互飙关键球
亚历克斯·卡鲁索三分命中。朱利安·尚帕尼 (Julian Champagnie) 三分回应。杰伦·威廉姆斯篮下打进。马刺和雷霆在最后阶段互不相让，双方战成97平，马刺主帅米奇·约翰逊在比赛还剩不到一分钟时请求暂停。
马刺在第一场客场挑战的关键时刻
卫冕冠军雷霆队经历过这种场面，他们在夺冠道路上经历过无数紧张时刻。
对于马刺来说，第一场的最后阶段将是一个全新的考验。在充满敌意的客场环境下，圣安东尼奥如何处理最后3分52秒（带着91-88的领先进入），将很大程度上说明这支年轻的马刺队究竟有多大的潜力。
哈珀在季后赛机会中应对挑战
20岁的新秀迪伦·哈珀职业生涯首次季后赛首发，他挺身而出砍下15分，帮助马刺在第四节还剩5:26时以89-84领先。
哈珀还贡献了6个篮板、4次助攻和6次抢断，成为马刺历史上第五位在季后赛单场贡献6次或更多抢断的球员。
瓦塞尔、尚帕尼在辅助角色上再次表现出色
德文·瓦塞尔 (Devin Vassell) 和朱利安·尚帕尼再次在维克托·文班亚马和其他核心球员身边拿出了稳健的辅助表现。
瓦塞尔在第三节还剩9.0秒时的三分球让他得分上双。
尚帕尼带着8分8个篮板进入第四节。
这两位球员在季后赛开始前都曾受到质疑，但通过两轮多的比赛，很明显他们一直都为季后赛的聚光灯做好了准备。
——汤姆·奥斯本 (Tom Orsborn)
文班下场休息时马刺难以维持领先
维克托·文班亚马以21分领跑全队，同时在防守端镇守禁区，继续展现他的影响力。在他上场的27分钟里，马刺比雷霆多赢了18分。
但文班亚马在板凳上的时间成了问题，在马刺替补中锋卢克·科内特 (Luke Kornet) 上场的8分钟里，俄克拉荷马城比圣安东尼奥多得了11分。
综合来看，三节过后马刺以80-73领先。
目前为止对SGA来说并非MVP级别的夜晚
谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大的MVP之夜在半场结束时开局并不理想。他目前5投1中仅得4分，马刺通过包夹迫使他转变为一名组织者。
期待这位两届MVP在下半场找回状态。
吉尔杰斯-亚历山大在常规赛场均得到33分，季后赛场均29分。
据马刺电台解说丹·韦斯 (Dan Weiss) 透露，这4分是SGA在过去两个赛季（无论是常规赛还是季后赛）中得分最低的半场。
包括卡特·布莱恩特在内的多名球员在盯防这位两届MVP方面做得非常出色。
——杰夫·麦克唐纳 (Jeff McDonald)
卡斯尔的失误是个问题，但马刺半场领先
考虑到斯蒂芬·卡斯尔 (Stephon Castle) 在季后赛中的出色表现，很难对他提出批评，但失误对于这位二年级指挥官来说有时仍是个问题。他在上半场出现了5次失误，包括一些被雷霆轻松拦截的糟糕分球。当然，他在这种高压环境下组织进攻的表现也有很多亮点，包括上半场末段给低位文班亚马的那记精准吊球，后者暴扣得手，帮助球队取得48-41的领先。
卡斯尔带着11分、4次助攻和5次失误进入半场休息，他在18分钟的上场时间里帮助马刺以51-44领先。
——汤姆·奥斯本
文班亚马再次为圣安东尼奥挺身而出
面对职业生涯的又一个第一次——西部决赛首秀，维克托·文班亚马再次展现了为大场面而生的特质，在上场的前15分钟内就拿到了两双。
文班亚马的10分10个篮板帮助马刺在半场还剩3:30、球队请求暂停时以44-41领先。
马刺能让文班休息多久？
在分区半决赛中，马刺之所以能淘汰森林狼，部分原因是因为他们在维克托·文班亚马下场休息的时间里生存了下来，甚至偶尔还能打出优势。但在卢克·科内特对阵雷霆的第一段替补时间里，这种情况并未发生。
如果俄克拉荷马城像第一节文班亚马休息时那样不断冲击篮筐，看看这是否会影响米奇·约翰逊的轮换将很有趣。他会倾向于让文班亚马在场上待得比平时更久吗？我们拭目以待。
——迈克·芬格 (Mike Finger)
亚历克斯·卡鲁索——没错，就是亚历克斯·卡鲁索——早期领衔雷霆进攻
马刺去年圣诞节在这里比赛时，他们目睹了雷霆后卫亚历克斯·卡鲁索把佩科姆中心的篮筐都快砸掉漆了。在那场马刺117-102获胜的比赛中，卡鲁索投篮13中3，三分球12中2。
今晚卡鲁索似乎不想再重演打铁秀。他替补登场拿下了雷霆前12分中的10分，这也是第一节结束后双方战成27平的部分原因。
——杰夫·麦克唐纳
裁判在第一场早期就定下基调
NBA中很少有球员比谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大和维克托·文班亚马更能引发关于判罚的讨论。
吉尔杰斯-亚历山大因诱导犯规和夸大肢体接触而受到批评，而文班亚马受到的对待也成为焦点，主帅米奇·约翰逊曾表示这位明星中锋在季后赛中遭遇了“令人作呕”级别的身体对抗。
到目前为止，在西部决赛的第一场比赛中，裁判似乎有意控制局面，在前五分钟内就吹罚了六次犯规。圣安东尼奥在开局阶段占据优势，造成对方四次犯规，并取得12-7的领先。
马刺凭借年轻阵容创造历史
据马刺电台解说丹·韦斯透露，由于哈珀顶替福克斯（踝伤）首发，马刺派出了自1970-71赛季联盟引入东西部赛制以来，分区决赛中最年轻的首发五人组。马刺首发的平均年龄为22岁零446天，比比尔·沃顿领衔并夺得NBA总冠军的1976-77赛季开拓者队还要年轻279天。
——汤姆·奥斯本
福克斯缺阵，新秀迎来首次季后赛首发
迪伦·哈珀被选定顶替全明星后卫德阿隆·福克斯的位置，后者因踝伤缺席第一场比赛。这将是这位来自罗格斯大学的20岁新秀职业生涯的首次季后赛首发。
哈珀在本次季后赛中一直是马刺替补席的重要一员，在11场比赛中场均贡献13.7分。
——杰夫·麦克唐纳
谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大在开球前领取MVP奖杯
俄克拉荷马城雷霆队球星谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大在对阵圣安东尼奥的第一场比赛开球前的最后时刻，从总裁亚当·萧华手中接过NBA最有价值球员奖杯。
吉尔杰斯-亚历山大的荣誉于周日晚公布，他蝉联了该奖项，领先于排名第二的掘金队尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokic) 和排名第三的马刺队维克托·文班亚马。
在离场内庆祝活动不远的地方，文班亚马和他的马刺队友们继续着赛前准备。当第一场比赛开球时，文班亚马将有另一次机会证明自己在世界顶尖球员中的地位。
马刺准备好迎接这一刻了吗？米奇·约翰逊认为是肯定的
很少有专家预料到年轻的马刺能走到这一步，在年轻核心成长的如此早期就闯入西部决赛。
但主教练米奇·约翰逊相信他的球队已经为第一场的舞台做好了准备，就像这支队伍整个赛季都在应对挑战一样。
“说某个时刻对某人或某些人来说太宏大了，这只是一个笼统的说法。人们对此可能有不同的定义，”约翰逊说道。“老实说，我认为我们的球员、我们的球队，都很兴奋能踏入这个时刻……这并不意味着我们不会犯错。这并不意味着我们有时不会觉得自己本可以做得更好或更多，但我们对踏入这些时刻感到兴奋。”
马刺主帅米奇·约翰逊谈到如何应对在俄克拉荷马城的第一场比赛舞台：“老实说，我认为我们的球员、我们的球队，都很兴奋能踏入这个时刻……这并不意味着我们不会犯错。这并不意味着我们有时不会觉得自己本可以做得更好或更多，但我们对踏入这些时刻感到兴奋。” pic.twitter.com/BJaGosLu6L
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) 2026年5月18日
德阿隆·福克斯因伤缺阵
马刺队在开球前约一小时宣布，德阿隆·福克斯将缺席在俄克拉荷马城进行的第一场比赛，原因是右踝酸痛。
福克斯在上周三对阵明尼苏达的第二轮第五场比赛中也曾出战成疑，但最终在圣安东尼奥126-97获胜的比赛中出战34分钟，得到18分、5次助攻和4个篮板。
踝伤在周五的第六场比赛中再次出现，这位全明星后卫被迫在第二节末段回到更衣室接受治疗。他在下半场开始时回归，并在24分钟内得到21分、9次助攻和4个篮板。
在福克斯确定缺席第一场比赛之前，约翰逊在被问及伤情时表示，这道伤病可能会贯穿马刺的整个季后赛征程。
“我相信，只要我们还在打比赛，它就不会消失，”约翰逊说道。
福克斯在常规赛场均得到18.6分和6.2次助攻，季后赛场均贡献18.8分和5.8次助攻。
限制SGA是马刺获胜的关键之一
蝉联MVP的谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大总会通过各种方式得分，但寻找让他打得难受的方法将是马刺最重要的重点之一，《圣安东尼奥快报》的随队记者杰夫·麦克唐纳写道。
在维克托·文班亚马下场休息的时间里保持均势，并让他们的角色球员比雷霆的角色球员发挥更出色，对马刺来说也至关重要。
马刺、雷霆终迎季后赛对决
一场酝酿数月的重量级对决终于到来，马刺和雷霆将于周一晚上开启他们的西部决赛系列赛。
圣安东尼奥（62胜20负）和俄克拉荷马城（64胜18负）是常规赛全联盟最好的两支球队，他们的相遇将是自2017年以来首次由两支60胜球队进行的季后赛系列赛。
雷霆队在今年季后赛中尚未尝过败绩，但马刺在常规赛系列赛中以4-1领先。在这场备受期待的季后赛重逢中，总有一方要打破纪录。
如何收看电视转播
马刺队定于周一晚上7:30在俄克拉荷马城的佩科姆中心开球，由NBC和Peacock进行转播。比赛也将通过1200 AM电台播出，西班牙语转播可在1350 AM和107.5 FM收听。
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：Spurs vs. Thunder Game 1: Spurs react after Wemby's historic night
Spurs vs. Thunder Game 1: Spurs react after Wemby’s historic night
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket past Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) during the third quarter of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Monday, May 18, 2026.
Victor Wembanyama scored 41 points with 24 rebounds in his first appearance in the Western Conference finals, driving the Spurs to a 122-115 win over the Thunder in two overtimes of a classic Game 1 on Monday at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The heavyweight matchup between the NBA’s two best teams more than lived up to its billing, with both sides trading huge shots through the tense closing moments, and San Antonio came away with the early series lead and home-court advantage the rest of the way.
Wembanyama played a career-high 49 minutes, hitting 14 of 25 shots while adding three assists and three blocks, including an emphatic stuff of Jalen Williams in the game’s closing moments.
Dylan Harper, making his first career playoff start for an injured De’Aaron Fox, scored 24 points, and six Spurs finished with double figures overall.
Alex Caruso scored 31 points to lead Oklahoma City, while Williams netted 26 and league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24.
With Game 2 set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Oklahoma City, catch up on Game 1 with updates and reaction from a historic night:
What the Spurs had to say about Wemby’s deep 3
Thirteen of Wembanyama’s 14 made baskets were within a few feet of the hoop, but the lone exception is the one that will be talked about the most.
With the Spurs trailing by three and less than 30 seconds to play in overtime, Wembanyama pulled up from 28 feet in transition and drilled a 3-pointer that sent the game to a second overtime.
“For that one I was thinking, just take my time,” Wembanyama said.
Victor Wembanyama, on his deep 3 in OT: “For that one I was just thinking, take my time. But for the rest, there were some plays I wish I would’ve taken more. I think it was the regulation last shot. I had an open look against a way smaller defender. I should’ve just taken it.” pic.twitter.com/lMJdNxz5D2
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 19, 2026
His teammates were more awestruck.
“Confidence through the roof. I was stunned, a little bit,” guard Dylan Harper said. "But once the ball went up, I was like, oh, that’s going in. That’s kind of just who he is. He’s one of a kind.”
Spurs guard Dylan Harper, on Victor Wembanyama’s deep 3 in overtime: "Confidence through the roof. I was stunned, a little bit. But once the ball went up, I was like, oh, that’s going in. That’s kind of just who he is. He’s one of a kind.” pic.twitter.com/5SZbK1JgRo
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 19, 2026
Carter Bryant was just as surprised to see the ball leave Wembanyama’s hands.
“I can’t believe he shot it, and I can’t believe that went in,” Bryant said. “It was pretty dope.”
Spurs forward Carter Bryant, on Victor Wembanyama’s deep 3 in overtime: “I can’t believe he shot it, and I can’t believe that went in. He let it go out of his hands and I was like, ‘Oh, he shot that. Oh, it went in. OK, cool.’ It was pretty dope.” pic.twitter.com/T49pX4fS8v
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 19, 2026
Coach Mitch Johnson commented on the totality of Wembanyama’s performance.
“I thought his level of physicality and execution through physicality was tremendous,” Johnson said. "His rebounding, obviously, was off the charts. … That’s 49 big minutes, and it was high level for a majority of those.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, on Victor Wembanyama’s play in Game 1: “I thought his level of physicality and execution through physicality was tremendous. His rebounding, obviously, was off the charts. … That’s 49 big minutes, and it was high level for a majority of those.” pic.twitter.com/BZnCg29MI3
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 19, 2026
Victor Wembanyama after Game 1 heroics: ‘I’m feeling tired’
After dominating for a career-high 49 minutes in his first taste of the Western Conference finals, Victor Wembanyama made an admission after the game that at last made him seem human.
“Physically, I’m feeling tired, honestly,” Wembanyama said, “but not as much as you would expect.”
Victor Wembanyama, on how he feels after Game 1: “I feel like it was a great effort from everybody, one through 15. Physically I’m feeling tired, honestly, but not as much as you would expect.” pic.twitter.com/AGhfaQ9v4r
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 19, 2026
With plenty left to pay in what is sure to be a highly competitive series, Wembanyama told reporters, “We will rest in July.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said he believes Wembanyama was motivated by being on hand to see Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander presented the MVP trophy before the game. Wembanyama finished third in the voting when the results were announced Sunday.
But the entire game was played with a competitive edge fitting for a matchup of the two best teams in the NBA clashing on a conference finals stage.
“It got to the point sometime at the end of that fourth quarter, it just felt like it was a war of wills, and there was a level of mental toughness that was exuded by both teams," Johnson said. "Their legs got wobbly, but they composed themselves and finished strong. That was a heck of a game to be a part of.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, on Game 1: “It got to the point sometime at the end of that fourth quarter, it just felt like it was a war of wills. … Their legs got wobbly, but they composed themselves and finished strong. That was a heck of a game to be a part of.” pic.twitter.com/VbljzmCiby
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 19, 2026
Harper excels in starting opportunity
Starting a playoff game for the first time in his career, Dylan Harper stepped up with 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and a Spurs rookie record seven steals, answering the call with usual starter De’Aaron Fox sidelined due to an ankle injury.
He had the most points by a rookie in their first conference finals game since 1981, and became the third rookie since steals started being tracked in 1973-74 to record seven or more in a playoff game.
“I think he has shown a poise and composure beyond his years,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. "These guys are looking forward to the moments to step into, and it’s really fun to see how together they are and how they attack it.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, on Dylan Harper: “I think that he has shown a poise and composure beyond his years. … These guys are looking forward to the moments to step into, and it’s really fun to see how together they are and how they attack it.” pic.twitter.com/0wqoWveJZB
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 19, 2026
Harper’s first taste of the playoffs arrived in a back-and-forth classic, but he never paused during the action to contemplate the stakes or the moment.
“Nah, I’m just trying to win. That’s the biggest thing on my mind," Harper said. "We all went in there with the mindset of if it takes two overtimes, let’s double down and win.”
Spurs guard Dylan Harper, on if he realized he was taking part in a classic game: “Nah, I’m just trying to win. That’s the biggest thing on my mind. … We all went in there with the mindset of if it takes two overtimes, let’s double down and win.” pic.twitter.com/S8OGPyfsyM
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 19, 2026
Spurs work to keep SGA in check
After averaging 31.1 points per game and shooting 55.3% during a regular season that earned him MVP honors, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needed 51 minutes to grind out 24 points on 7-of-23 shooting (30.4%) against San Antonio in Game 1.
“Make his life as difficult as possible," Spurs forward Carter Bryant said. "He’s a hell of a player. He’s not the MVP for no reason. Just understanding he’s a really, very, very, very good player. I’m just trying to make his life difficult.”
Spurs forward Carter Bryant, on guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: “Make his life as difficult as possible. He’s a hell of a player. He’s not the MVP for no reason. Just understanding he’s a really, very, very, very good player. I’m just trying to make his life difficult.” pic.twitter.com/KY5Kai64W9
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 19, 2026
Harper’s layup gives Spurs lead late in second OT
Dylan Harper’s drive for a layup put the Spurs ahead 114-111 with 2:04 to play in double overtime, and he’ll have a free-throw coming after absorbing hits to the face from both Shai Gilgous-Alexander and Alex Caruso.
What kind of an answer to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder have left?
Wemby from deep sends Game 1 to a second overtime
Victor Wembanyama pulled up from well beyond the 3-point arc to knock down a 3-pointer with 26.3 seconds to play in overtime, sending Game 1 of the Western Conference finals into a second extra period tied at 108. What a game in Oklahoma City.
Overtime up next after tense finish
San Antonio’s play to Victor Wembanyama with 3.1 seconds remaining in regulation was blocked by Chet Holmgren, sending Game 1 of the Western Conference finals to overtime tied at 101.
Wembanyama hit a spinning floater in the lane with 11.5 seconds to play to put the Spurs in front, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander answered with a driving layup with 3.1 seconds remaining to knot the score.
Spurs, Thunder trading big shots late
Alex Caruso for three. Julian Champagnie for three. A bucket for Jalen Williams. The Spurs and Thunder are trading haymakers down the stretch, tied at 97 as Spurs coach Mitch Johnson calls timeout with less than a minute remaining.
Crunch time for Spurs on the road in Game 1
The defending NBA champion Thunder have been here before, battling through tense moments on the way to a title.
For the Spurs, the final stretch of Game 1 will be a new test. How San Antonio handles the final 3:52, entering with a 91-88 lead in a hostile environment, could say a lot about what the young Spurs are capable of.
Harper answers challenge in playoff opportunity
A 20-year-old rookie starting a playoff game for the first time in his career, Dylan Harper has stepped up with 15 points, helping the Spurs to an 89-84 lead with 5:26 to play in the fourth quarter.
Harper also has six rebounds, four assists and six steals, becoming only the fifth player in Spurs history to have six or more steals in a playoff game.
Vassell, Champagnie thriving again in supporting roles
Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie are again putting together solid under-the-radar performances in support of Victor Wembanyama and the team’s other main threats.
Vassell’s 3-pointer with 9.0 seconds left in the third quarter gave him 10 points.
Champagnie heads into the fourth with eight points and eight rebounds.
Both players came into the postseason as question marks, but it’s clear through two-plus rounds they were ready all along for the playoff spotlight.
–Tom Orsborn
Spurs struggle to maintain lead with Wemby on the bench
Leading San Antonio with 21 points while protecting the paint on the other end, Victor Wembanyama has continued to show his impact, and the Spurs have been 18 points better than the Thunder in his 27 minutes on the court.
But Wembanyama’s time on the bench has been problematic, as Oklahoma City has outscored San Antonio by 11 points during Spurs backup center Luke Kornet’s eight minutes.
Put together, the Spurs hold an 80-73 lead after three quarters.
Not exactly an MVP-caliber night for SGA so far
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP night is not off to a great start through one half. He’s got four points on 1-of-5 shooting so far, as the Spurs have loaded up to try to turn him into a distributor.
Expect the two-time MVP to get himself going in the second half.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 33 points per game in the regular season and 29 throughout the playoffs.
Per Spurs radio voice Dan Weiss, the four points for SGA mark his lowest scoring half - regular season or playoffs - in the last two seasons.
A variety of players, including Carter Bryant, did a great job shadowing the two-time MVP.
–Jeff McDonald
Turnovers a problem for Castle, but Spurs lead at the break
It’s hard to criticize Stephon Castle considering how well he’s played in the postseason, but turnovers continue to be a problem at times for the second-year floor general. He committed five in the first half, including some bad kick-out passes that were easily intercepted by the Thunder. But, of course, there’s also plenty to like about the job he’s done running the offense in this pressure-packed environment, including that sharp entry pass to Wembanyama in the low post that the Frenchman slammed home for a 48-41 lead late in the first half.
Castle goes into break with 11 points and four assists against those five miscues in 18 minutes as the Spurs lead 51-44.
-Tom Orsborn
Wembanyama at it again for San Antonio
Facing another career first with his debut appearance in the Western Conference finals, Victor Wembanyama again looks ready to meet the moment, posting a double-double in his first 15 minutes on the court.
Wembanyama’s 10 points and 10 rebounds have helped the Spurs to a 44-41 lead as the team calls timeout with 3:30 to play in the opening half.
How long can Spurs sit Wemby?
In the conference semifinals, the Spurs finished off the Wolves in part because they survived – and occasionally thrived – during the minutes when Victor Wembanyama was on the bench. That didn’t happen during Luke Kornet’s first shift against the Thunder.
If Oklahoma City keeps getting to the rim like it did over and over again while Wembanyama rested in the first quarter, it’ll be interesting to see if it affects Mitch Johnson’s rotation. Will he be tempted to keep Wembanyama on the floor longer than usual? We’ll see.
–Mike Finger
Alex Caruso – yes, Alex Caruso – leads the Thunder offense early
When the Spurs were here on Christmas Day, they watched OKC guard Alex Caruso chip the paint off the Paycom Center rims. Caruso went 3-of-13 from the floor and 2-of-12 from 3-point range in the Spurs’ 117-102 victory.
Caruso appears in no mood for another clangfest tonight. He came off the bench to score 10 of OKC’s first 12 points, part of the reason the score is tied at 27 after the first quarter.
–Jeff McDonald
Officials making early statement in Game 1
Few players in the NBA have sparked more conversations about officiating than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama.
Gilgeous-Alexander has drawn criticism for baiting fouls and exaggerating contact, while the handling of Wembanyama has come under focus after coach Mitch Johnson said the star center has been met with a “disgusting” level of physicality in the postseason.
So far in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, the officials seem intent on keeping the action under control, whistling six fouls in the first five minutes. San Antonio got the better of the early play, drawing four fouls on the way to a 12-7 lead.
Spurs make history with young lineup
With Harper starting in place of Fox (ankle), the Spurs are sporting the youngest starting five in a conference finals game since 1970-71 when the league introduced conferences, per Spurs radio voice Dan Weiss. The Spurs’ average age of 22 years, 446 days is 279 days younger than the Bill Walton-led 1976-77 Blazers that won the NBA championship.
–Tom Orsborn
With Fox out, rookie gets first playoff start
Dylan Harper has been tabbed to take the place of All-Star guard De’Aaron Fox, who is out for Game 1 with an ankle injury. It will mark the first postseason start for the 20-year-old rookie from Rutgers.
Harper has been a big part of the Spurs’ bench unit throughout these playoffs, averaging 13.7 points in 11 contests.
-Jeff McDonald
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander receives MVP trophy before tipoff
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was presented the NBA’s Most Valuable Player trophy from commissioner Adam Silver in the final moments before Game 1 tipoff against San Antonio.
Gilgous-Alexander’s honor was announced Sunday night, as he became the back-to-back winner ahead of the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic in second place and the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama in third.
Not far from the on-court celebration, Wembanyama and his Spurs teammates continued their pregame preparation. Wembanyama will have another opportunity to make a statement about his standing among the world’s best players when Game 1 tips off.
Are the Spurs ready for the moment? Mitch Johnson thinks so
Few pundits thought the young Spurs would reach this stage, advancing to the Western Conference finals so early in the development of a young core.
But coach Mitch Johnson believes his team is ready for the Game 1 stage, just as the group has answered the call all season long.
“To say that a moment is too big for someone or some people is a little bit of a general term. People may have different definitions of that,” Johnson said. “Honestly, I think our guys, our team, are excited to step into the moment. … That doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes. That doesn’t mean at times we won’t be left wanting to do better or more, but we are excited about stepping into those moments.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, on handling a stage like Game 1 at OKC: “Honestly, I think our guys, our team, are excited to step into the moment. … That doesn’t mean at times we won’t be left wanting to do better or more, but we are excited about stepping into those moments.” pic.twitter.com/BJaGosLu6L
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 18, 2026
De’Aaron Fox ruled out due to injury
The Spurs will be without De’Aaron Fox for Game 1 at Oklahoma City due to right ankle soreness, the team announced about an hour before tipoff.
Fox was also iffy for Game 5 of the second round series against Minnesota last Wednesday but wound up finishing with 18 points, five assists and four rebounds in 34 minutes of the 126-97 win in San Antonio.
The ankle injury also surfaced in Game 6 on Friday when the All-Star guard was forced to head to the locker room late in the first half for treatment. He returned for the start of the second half and finished with 21 points, nine assists and four rebounds in 24 minutes.
Asked about the injury before Fox’s status for Game 1 became official, Johnson said the injury is likely to be an issue through the Spurs’ postseason run.
“It’s not going away for as long as we’re playing, I believe,” Johnson said.
Fox averaged 18.6 points and 6.2 assists per game during the regular season and has posted 18.8 points and 5.8 assists per game during the playoffs.
Containing SGA ranks among Spurs’ top keys to victory
Back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is going to score one way or another, but finding a way to make his life difficult will be among the Spurs’ biggest points of emphasis, writes beat reporter Jeff McDonald with the San Antonio Express-News.
Breaking even in the minutes Victor Wembanyama is on the bench and getting more out of their role players than the Thunder will also be vital for the Spurs.
Spurs, Thunder finally set for playoff clash
A heavyweight matchup months in the making has at last arrived, with the Spurs and Thunder set to open their Western Conference finals series Monday night.
San Antonio (62-20) and Oklahoma City (64-18) were the league’s two best teams during the regular season, and their meeting will mark the first playoff series between 60-win teams since 2017.
The Thunder have yet to lose a game in the postseason, but the Spurs won the regular-season series 4-1. Something will have to give in the much-anticipated playoff rematch.
How to watch the game on TV
The Spurs are set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. Monday from the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, with a broadcast on NBC and Peacock. The game will also air on the radio on 1200 AM, or in Spanish on 1350 AM and 107.5 FM.
By Greg Luca, Staff Writer, via San Antonio Express-News