点击查看原文：Spurs vs. Thunder Game 2: Spurs look to regroup after OKC draws even
Spurs vs. Thunder Game 2: Spurs look to regroup after OKC draws even
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) falls over San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have drawn even in the Western Conference finals, outlasting the shorthanded San Antonio Spurs to win 122-113 in Game 2 on Wednesday at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
With the series tied at 1-1, the Spurs will be focused on health and recovery. De’Aaron Fox missed a second straight game Wednesday due to a right ankle injury, while Dylan Harper left in the third quarter and did not return because of a right leg injury.
Stephon Castle scored 25 points for San Antonio but racked up nine more turnovers, while Devin Vassell netted 22 points and Victor Wembanyama posted another loaded stat line with 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocks.
League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points to lead Oklahoma City, and the Thunder bench outscored San Antonio’s reserves 57-25.
With Game 3 set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Frost Bank Center, catch up with live updates and reaction from Game 2:
San Antonio Spurs guard Devin Vassell (24) goes up to block Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first half of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
After Dylan Harper left the game while grabbing at his right hamstring about midway through the third quarter and did not return, coach Mitch Johnson was unable to provide a definitive update during his postgame press conference, sharing only that Harper appeared to be injured on an awkward landing after having a layup attempt blocked by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Harper’s injury only adds to the challenges facing the Spurs backcourt, as De’Aaron Fox missed a second straight game Wednesday due to a right ankle injury.
“Honestly, he’s just trying to play every day,” Johnson said. "It’s a tough injury that he wouldn’t have been playing with in the regular season, so he’s trying to tough it out.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson on De’Aaron Fox’s injury: “Honestly, he’s just trying to play every day. It’s a tough injury that he wouldn’t have been playing with in the regular season, so he’s trying to tough it out.” pic.twitter.com/zfv60rl8gf
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 21, 2026
Johnson said the two injuries put “a ton” of pressure on the Spurs’ remaining guards, especially against the Thunder’s elite defense.
“When you’re down some of your primary creators and initiators, it causes a little bit of an extra strain,” Johnson said. "We’ll just have to be sharper in that area, because it’s tough fully loaded against these guys.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, regarding the pressure on a shorthanded backcourt: “A ton. … When you’re down some of your primary creators and initiators, it causes a little bit of an extra strain. … We’ll just have to be sharper in that area.” pic.twitter.com/JmbiIiQnPL
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 21, 2026
After racking up 11 turnovers in Game 1, Stephon Castle committed another nine in Game 2, putting a damper on a game in which he posted a team-high 25 points with eight assists and five rebounds.
“The biggest thing is just playing off two feet, not getting sped up," Castle said. "Obviously, I didn’t do a great job of that, but yeah, just trying to keep my teammates involved. Trying not to do too much on the offensive end. Trying to make the simple play as much as I can. Even after having all of those turnovers, we still gave ourselves a chance to win. Leaving here with that is definitely a plus.”
Spurs guard Stephon Castle, on his turnover issues: “The biggest thing is just playing off two feet, not getting sped up. Obviously, I didn’t do a great job of that, but yeah, just trying to keep my teammates involved. Trying not to do too much on the offensive end.” pic.twitter.com/T3c2qxpvhq
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 21, 2026
San Antonio finished with 21 turnovers as a team for a second straight game, and on Wednesday the Thunder turned those giveaways into 27 points. Coach Mitch Johnson said Castle and rest of the Spurs have to identify when to move the ball quickly against an OKC defense that will try to crowd them.
“We’ve addressed it and we’ll continue to, just in terms of trying to help him with some of his reads, especially when he’s tired,” Johnson said. “He had too many turnovers, but our whole team did.”
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson on Stephon Castle’s turnovers: “We’ve addressed it and we’ll continue to just in terms of trying to help him with some of his reads, especially when he’s tired. … He had too many turnovers but our whole team did.” pic.twitter.com/B14Vg2vSSP
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 21, 2026
Castle said of the turnover issue that “some of it comes with fatigue,” as he is tasked with being San Antonio’s primary creator for as long as De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper are sidelined by injuries.
“It’s tough,” Castle said. “Regardless, I think the five guys on the court are pretty much connected at all times. Obviously we want all of our guys to be healthy and be on the court. Just to see somebody go out midgame gives you a little more motivation to do it for them.”
Stephon Castle, on playing without key pieces due to injuries: “It’s tough. Regardless, I think the five guys on the court are pretty much connected at all times. … Just to see somebody go out midgame gives you a little more motivation to do it for them.” pic.twitter.com/VX9Hpy9n2E
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 21, 2026
Despite all the challenges Wednesday, losing both Game 2 and guard Dylan Harper to injury, Spurs guard Devin Vassell knows something better lies ahead.
The Spurs claimed home-court advantage by winning one of two in Oklahoma City, and they return to San Antonio for Friday’s game with a path to the NBA Finals still well within reach.
“We wanted to leave here 2-0, but we know San Antonio’s going to be rocking. We know they can’t wait for us to get back,” Vassell said. “It’s going to be special.”
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) goes up for a shot during the third quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
After the Spurs trimmed the margin to two, the Thunder ripped off 11 straight points in less than two minutes, reclaiming control with a double-digit lead.
Does shorthanded San Antonio have another push in store down the stretch?
Oklahoma City’s bench has combined for 10 3-pointers in Game 2, providing support for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 24 points.
But the Spurs aren’t going away even without two of their most important pieces in De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper, as a 3-pointer from Harrison Barnes forced a Thunder timeout with the lead down to two points and about nine minutes to play. Another tense finish could be in store.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) gos up to the net during the third quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The Spurs’ guard rotation just got shorter. In a turn of events that could prove disastrous, Dylan Harper has headed to the locker room in the middle of the third quarter after suffering an apparent right hamstring injury, and the Spurs announced a few minutes later that he will not return in Game 2.
Harper was starting in place of De’Aaron Fox, who is out with a right ankle sprain.
Expect loads of minutes in the fourth quarter for Jordan McLaughlin, who did not play at all in Game 1. McLaughlin has six points and an assist in his first six minutes of court time in Game 2.
– Jeff McDonald
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) gets tangled with Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) during the third quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
The Thunder reserves have outscored their Spurs counterparts 37-9 heading into the final four minutes of the third quarter.
Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson’s playoff struggles continue. He’s got just three points after averaging 13.2 in the regular season.
Johnson had 21 points in a Game 5 victory over Minnesota but has scored just 16 total in his three appearances since that outing.
–Tom Orsborn
San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) dribbles the ball during the third quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Newly minted NBA All-Rookie Team member Dylan Harper is up to 12 points while making his second start in a row in place of the injured De’Aaron Fox.
That’s halfway to the 24 points he scored in Game 1. It also marks the fifth game in a row he’s scored 12 or more points.
And, as usual, he’s getting to the rim with ease, something he did throughout Game 1.
“After the game, that’s the first thing I said. I’m like, Bro, I don’t understand it. You’re going on fast breaks one on three and laying it up like there’s nobody in front of you,” Devin Vassell said.
That knack for getting to the rim was one of the reasons why Harper on Wednesday became the 10th player in Spurs history to earn first-team NBA All-Rookie honors, joining a list that includes teammates Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle.
“The way he’s able to just get to the paint and finish, honestly, I haven’t seen anything like that before,” Vassell said. “And to think he’s just a rookie. He’s going to keep growing and just getting better and better. The sky’s the limit for him.”
-Tom Orsborn
The Spurs are announced before Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Before Game 2, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson insinuated that De’Aaron Fox’s injured ankle isn’t going to be healed any time soon, and that keeping him as a game-time decision might be the team’s “status quo” for a while.
If that’s “the world we live in,” as Johnson put it, the Spurs are going to need to figure out a solution for taking care of the ball. The Thunder force turnovers better than anybody, and with Fox out of the lineup, it’s been a huge problem for San Antonio through the first game and a half of this series.
After turning the ball over 21 times in Game 1, they did it 13 times in the first half of Game 2.
-Mike Finger
Victor Wembanyama knocked down his his first two shots of the second half and Dylan Harper converted a pair of layups, forcing the Thunder to call a timeout after an 11-point lead was trimmed to three.
The Spurs may be battling fatigue in a hostile environment, but they don’t appear to be going down quietly.
The Spurs stand on the court as they are announced ahead of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has found his offense in the first half of Game 2, but Oklahoma City’s other stars have been limited.
For Jalen Williams, the issue is the return of a left hamstring injury that forced him to miss six games before he returned to start this series. He started again Wednesday but missed the second quarter and has been ruled out for the rest of the night.
Chet Holmgren has been on the court for the Thunder, but he’s looked far from his usual form. After scoring just eight points with eight rebounds in 41 minutes Monday, Holmgren netted only five points in Wednesday’s opening half, then started the third quarter with an airball on a 3-point attempt.
A combined 18 players scored during the first half of Game 2, with both sides leaning on the bench after a grueling double-overtime showdown in Monday’s Game 1.
The lead guards from each side have still done the heavy lifting, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 15 for Oklahoma City and Stephon Castle racking up 16 for San Antonio. Thunder lead 62-51 at the break.
Victor Wembanyama was whistled for his third foul contesting a shot under the basket from the Thunder’s Chet Holmgren, but Spurs coach Mitch Johnson used his challenge to have the call flipped in San Antonio’s favor.
Johnson also used a challenge early in the first quarter to get a foul call against Wembanyama flipped to Isaiah Hartenstein, helping his star player stay on the floor.
Of course, by using both challenges in the opening half, the Spurs will not be able to protect Wembanyama should any other errant calls merit a challenge the rest of the way.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) before Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
Oklahoma City hasn’t lost much in recent seasons, but the Thunder have always proved to be resilient after any setback.
And that’s proving to be true again in the early going of Game 2 after they lost the West finals opener 122-115 in double overtime on Monday night..
Coach Mark Daigneault pointed to the high character of his players when asked before Game 2 about Oklahoma City’s ability to bounce back.
“It starts with their makeup,” he said. “That certainly puts us at an advantage. It’s who they are. It’s the circles they’ve been around their whole lives. I mean these are rock-solid people with rock-solid makeup, and when you meet their families, meet their people, it only reinforces that.
“I think it starts there and then it’s up to us to put an environment together that they come into every day that can bring out the best in that, and we try to do that.”
-Tom Orsborn
The spus warm up before Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
In Game 1, the Spurs committed 23 turnovers that the Thunder converted into 28 points. It was a huge number in a game that went to two overtimes.
The Spurs are on a similarly sloppy pace to open Game 2, with nine turnovers in less than a quarter and a half.
Stephon Castle, who gave away a team-high 11 turnovers in Game 1, already has five tonight.
The Spurs were lucky to win a high-turnover game on the road in the series opener. It is unlikely they survive another one in Game 2.
They will need to tighten things up.
–Jeff McDonald
A few nights after drawing criticism for an 11 turnover night, Stephon Castle attacked the rim with a vengeance in the second quarter of Game 2, throwing down a monster slam over 7-foot center Isaiah Hartenstein.
He’s got 12 early points Wednesday, albeit with another five turnovers. But his one-handed slam has more than overshadowed any shortcomings.
STEPHON CASTLE RISES UP FOR THE POSTER SLAM 
A BIG-TIME JAM IN GAME 2! pic.twitter.com/FK6hPYvEjp
— NBA (@ NBA) May 21, 2026
Victor Wembanyama was in awe just as much as the rest of us.
CASTLE POSTER SLAM 
WEMBY IN AWE https://t.co/ocRp6Jhhhu pic.twitter.com/AKnzmZnB8C
— NBA (@ NBA) May 21, 2026
Limited only to mop-up duty in blowouts through the Spurs’ first two playoff series, Jordan McLaughlin was called on to play significant minutes early in Game 2, checking in during the first quarter.
A little-used 30-year-old journeyman, McLaughlin knocked down his first shot, connecting on a 3-pointer. With De’Aaron Fox out due to injury and the rest of the Spurs pushing through a double-overtime win Monday, it’s all hands on deck for San Antonio.
The Spurs are playing two nights after an epic double-OT victory that involved all five starters logging at least 44 minutes.
Devin Vassell played a team-best 51 minutes, which could be a factor in his 1-for-5 start to Game 2.
Stephon Castle looks fresh, however, on his way to eight quick points.
It will be interesting to see how coach Mitch Johnson handles the fatigue factor throughout the night. The Thunder have no shortage of bodies to rotate in and out and keep players fresh.
Will Johnson lengthen his rotation tonight to try and allow players to keep their tanks full? We shall see.
–Jeff McDonald
Thunder star and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished the opening half of Game 1 with just four points on 1-of-5 shooting, marking his lowest-scoring half of the year.
He needed only six minutes to match that total in Wednesday’s Game 2, knocking down two of his first three shots. If Gilgeous-Alexander can rediscover his usual scoring touch, Oklahoma City will have a much better shot at drawing even in the series.
San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson has drawn criticism for a couple of questionable challenges that haven’t gone his way through the playoffs, but he used the tool at the right time to open Game 2.
A play that was initially ruled a foul on Victor Wembanyama was instead flipped to a foul on Oklahoma City’s Isaiah Hartenstein, giving him two while keeping Wemby’s record clean for the night.
After trying to guard Victor Wembanyama with smaller players like Alex Caruso in Game 1, the Thunder opened Game 2 by tasking 7-foot center Isaiah Hartenstein with the assignment.
Wembanyama responded by trying to use his quickness advantage on his first touch, attacking Hartenstein off the dribble from the perimeter and drawing a foul. A couple minutes later, Wembanyama knocked down a 3-pointer for his first bucket of the night.
dialed in from deeep 
@ NBAonNBC pic.twitter.com/OTydNW7AWg
— San Antonio Spurs (@ spurs) May 21, 2026
Pulling out a dramatic double-overtime win in Game 1, the Spurs stole home-court advantage in the Western Conference finals, putting the team in a solid position regardless of what happens Wednesday night.
But NBA Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson said San Antonio isn’t complacent about going one for two, looking to deliver a repeat performance in Game 2.
“We’re not satisfied. They’re the defending champs. We know we’re going to have to come and play,” Johnson said. “We’re not taking no games off. We’re coming to win tonight, and that’s the plan. We won one here, but the job’s not done.”
Keldon Johnson on the Spurs not resting after their Game 1 win in OKC:
“Job’s not done.” pic.twitter.com/137HhebwfR
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 20, 2026
Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox will once again be out for Game 2 at Oklahoma City, the team announced shortly before tipoff, leaving San Antonio without a stabilizing backcourt presence and ramping up the pressure on fellow guards Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.
The Spurs also scratched Fox from Game 1 after warmups Monday night due to the right ankle soreness that has plagued him since he suffered the injury in Game 4 of the second-round series against Minnesota, when Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu dove into his legs while chasing a loose ball.
A two-time All Star and one of the only Spurs with postseason experience prior to this year’s run, 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.
Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox will once again be out for Game 2 of the Western Conference finals, the team announced shortly before tipoff.
Follow along for live updates and instant analysis from Oklahoma City: https://t.co/sv4MuOxuvL pic.twitter.com/y3nG65Yeez
— San Antonio Express-News (@ ExpressNews) May 21, 2026
Western Conference Finals pressure? The Spurs showed no signs of it walking into Paycom Center.
Victor Wembanyama arrived carrying Louis Vuitton, Keldon Johnson brought Texas cowboy flair, and the rest of San Antonio’s young core turned the arena tunnel into a playoff runway.
The Spurs face Oklahoma City in Game 2 with momentum and confidence — and judging by the fits, they came dressed for the moment.
With De’Aaron Fox set to miss a second straight game, Dylan Harper will be back in the starting lineup for San Antonio in Game 2.
He answered the test in Game 1 with 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and seven steals, but Wednesday will be a different type of test. The Spurs didn’t hesitate to admit that they were tired after going to two overtimes in Game 1. Can Harper (47 minutes), Stephon Castle (49 minutes) and Devin Vassell (51 minutes) hold up to the same kind of workload without Fox’s relief in Game 2?
Spurs forward Julian Champagnie, on handling the Game 1 atmosphere: “That was all of our first time being here. So for us to go out there and have that kind of game and win, it’s something we’ll hold and we’ll take with us. But that was last night, and today is a new day.” pic.twitter.com/qASBoozBib
— Spurs Nation (@ Spurs_Nation) May 19, 2026
Cutting down on the giveaways, including Stephon Castle’s 11 turnovers, will be critical if the Spurs hope to pull out Game 2 in Oklahoma City, writes beat reporter Jeff McDonald with the San Antonio Express-News.
San Antonio will also need to stick to its defensive game plan despite Alex Caruso’s explosive performance for the Thunder in Game 1, and the Spurs should also brace for a bounce-back performance from MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
No surprise, but the Spurs’ Dylan Harper was officially named to the NBA’s All-Rookie first team when the selections were announced about an hour before tipoff of Game 2 on Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
The No. 2 overall pick in last year’s draft, Harper came off the bench to average 11.8 points, 3.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game during the regular season. He’s looked even more ready for the playoff spotlight, averaging 14.6 points, 2.5 assists and 5.6 rebounds per night.
In his first playoff starting opportunity, on the road Monday for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against defending champion Oklahoma City, Harper again met the moment, erupting for 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and seven steals. What could he have in store for an encore Wednesday?
The Spurs are set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday 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.
