Thunder’s unsung contributors push Spurs to brink with Game 5 win
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The Oklahoma City Thunder moved within one victory of a second straight NBA Finals berth by defeating the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 on Tuesday night, May 26, 2026. The Game 5 triumph at Paycom Center gave Oklahoma City a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals.
Caruso’s expanded role pays off
Head coach Mark Daigneault increased Alex Caruso’s workload after using him sparingly during the regular season. The 32-year-old guard is averaging 17.0 points in 24.7 minutes this series—up from 9.5 points in 20.6 minutes across four regular-season meetings with San Antonio—and is shooting 58.1% from three-point range. Oklahoma City is plus-45 with Caruso on the floor and minus-36 without him through five games, the largest raw plus-minus of any player in the matchup.
Hartenstein challenges Wembanyama inside
With Victor Wembanyama dominating early in the postseason, Daigneault inserted 7-footer Isaiah Hartenstein to provide a more physical presence. In Game 5, Hartenstein posted 12 points and 15 rebounds while limiting Wembanyama to 20 points on 4-of-15 shooting. According to ESPN tracking data, Wembanyama shot 27% (3-of-11) when guarded primarily by Hartenstein after surpassing 50% in the first four contests.
Rookie McCain seizes his chance
Injuries to Jalen Williams (hamstring) and Ajay Mitchell forced Oklahoma City to reconfigure its backcourt. Rookie guard Jared McCain, acquired from Philadelphia at the Feb. 4 trade deadline, made his first playoff start Tuesday and delivered 20 points, including three fourth-quarter three-pointers that sealed the outcome. McCain also handled secondary ball-handling duties to relieve MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has struggled with efficiency throughout the series.
Lineup flexibility continues
Daigneault has used four different starting units in five games, most recently replacing defensive specialist Cason Wallace with McCain. Wallace responded to the bench role with two blocks, two steals and a game-high plus-29 in 31 minutes.
Spurs face elimination
San Antonio must win Game 6 on Thursday, May 28, to extend the series. Head coach Mitch Johnson said Wembanyama “has to take more than 15 shots” after the rookie attempted exactly that number in Game 5. During the Spurs’ two victories, 81% of Wembanyama’s field-goal attempts came inside the arc; that share fell to 63% in the three losses.
The Thunder’s mix of veteran savvy, tactical adjustments and unexpected contributions has overturned San Antonio’s regular-season dominance and set the stage for a potential close-out on the road.
Source: ESPN
