The Oklahoma City Thunder spent the summer thinking about the team that ended their season, and it showed. Oklahoma City beat San Antonio 116-104 on Tuesday night at Frost Bank Center, leading by as many as 26 points in a Western Conference Finals rematch that was physical from the second quarter on.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 32 points. Jared McCain added 20 off the bench and Chet Holmgren had 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks, going 8 of 8 at the free throw line. Oklahoma City led 65-44 at halftime and answered San Antonio's 36 point third quarter without ever giving the game back.

Victor Wembanyama's night is the headline inside the headline. Wembanyama shot 1 of 13 from the field, a career worst 8 percent, and started 0 of 12 before his first field goal, a spinning dunk off a De'Aaron Fox lob at the third quarter buzzer. He finished with 12 points, 10 of them at the line, with 13 rebounds and 6 blocks. His 0 of 12 start ties the second most missed field goals to open a season opener in the play by play era. Stephon Castle scored 24 for San Antonio and rookie Dylan Harper added 18.

The rivalry temperature showed in the second quarter. Fox was called for a flagrant 1 after slamming Holmgren to the ground with 9:21 left in the quarter, and Wembanyama, Jalen Williams, Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams all received technical fouls in the shoving that followed. San Antonio won the battle of the spring, taking the conference finals in seven games. Oklahoma City won the first round of the rematch, on the road, with defense.

Key Facts

  • Final: Thunder 116, Spurs 104 at Frost Bank Center
  • Leader: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 32 points
  • Locked down: Wembanyama shot 1 of 13 with an 0 of 12 start, 12 points and 6 blocks
  • Middle: Chet Holmgren had 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 blocks
  • Flashpoint: Fox flagrant 1 on Holmgren and four technicals in the second quarter

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