Spurs outlast Thunder in double OT thriller to steal Game 1

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Spurs outlast Thunder in double OT thriller to steal Game 1 image

By Rafael Bandayrel

The San Antonio Spurs survived a grueling double-overtime battle against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, pulling out a 122-115 victory in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday (PH time) in Oklahoma City.

After being the only team to beat OKC multiple times during the regular season, the Spurs once again proved to be the Thunder’s kryptonite.

San Antonio seized control in the second quarter and built a double-digit lead, but Oklahoma City spent the rest of the night relentlessly clawing back into the contest.

The Thunder eventually erased the deficit late in regulation. After Devin Vassell briefly restored a four-point Spurs lead with a clutch triple, OKC answered back and even grabbed a one-point edge after an Alex Caruso three-pointer.

The final moments of regulation turned chaotic. Dylan Harper gave San Antonio the lead from the free-throw line before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied it again with free throws of his own.

Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Then Victor Wembanyama drilled a tough mid-range jumper with 11.5 seconds left, only for Gilgeous-Alexander to answer with a game-tying layup with three seconds remaining. Wembanyama had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but Chet Holmgren blocked the attempt.

The slugfest carried into overtime and eventually double overtime, where Wembanyama completely took over. The French phenom punctuated the win with a thunderous and-one dunk over Holmgren before knocking down a cold-blooded triple to seal the victory.

Wembanyama erupted for 41 points and 24 rebounds in a legendary playoff performance. Harper also delivered with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

The Spurs now hold a 1-0 lead heading into Game 2 on Thursday in Oklahoma City

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