San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (R) and guard Stephon Castle react after a basket during Game 6 of the Western Conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday in San Antonio. Photo by Adam Davis/EPA
Victor Wembanyama scored 22 of his 28 points in the first half to help the San Antonio Spurs demolish the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals, forcing a Game 7 series finale.
The All-NBA center made 10 of 21 shots and logged 10 rebounds, three blocks, two steals and two assists in the 118-91 victory Thursday in San Antonio. The 27-point win was the largest in Spurs franchise history while facing elimination.
“I think we were consistent and did what we needed to do,” Wembanyama, who made just 4 of 15 shots in Game 5, told reporters. “Trusted the game. Trusted the basketball gods.”
The Spurs outshot the Thunder 46.6% to 37.2%. They held advantages of 44-38 in points in the paint, 18-10 in points off fast breaks and 46-38 in bench points. They led by as many as 28 points and never trailed.
“They just punched and we didn’t punch back,” said Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 15 points in the loss. “They were the aggressors, from start to finish.
“They played harder than us, made more shots, were more aggressive, were in attack mode and we were on our heels.”
Wembanyama was aggressive from the start, attacking the Thunder with relentless intensity. He helped the Spurs race out to a 9-2 lead off the tip-off. The Thunder fought back to get the score within a point, but the Spurs outscored the visitors 21-9 for the remainder of a quarter. They carried a 35-22 edge into the second.
The Thunder outscored the Spurs 31-25 over the next 12 minutes, but trailed 60-53 at the break. Wembanyama’s Spurs ignited in the third quarter, using a 20-0 run to outscore the Thunder 32-13 in the frame. They held a 26-25 scoring advantage in the fourth quarter to close out the victory and extend the series.
Dylan Harper totaled 18 points, six rebounds and four assists off the Spurs bench. Fellow Spurs guard Stephon Castle totaled 17 points, nine assists and five rebounds. Forwards Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Thunder guard Jared McCain totaled 13 points in the loss. Forward Chet Holmgren logged 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Thunder, who will host Game 7 at 8 p.m. EDT Saturday in Oklahoma City. The series finale will air on NBC.
“We’ve gotta go out there and be better and if we’re not better, our season will be over,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.
The winner of Game 7 will meet the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals at 8:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday on their home floor.
