After a flat Game 4 showing in which they produced their lowest scoring output since 2021, the Oklahoma City Thunder answered back in emphatic fashion, downing the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.
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But beyond the bounce-back win, it was Jared McCain who again stole the spotlight, continuing a breakout post-trade surge that has only added sting to a decision made in Philadelphia earlier this year.
The result puts OKC 3-2 up in the series and within one win of back-to-back NBA Finals appearances. The Spurs, meanwhile, head home facing elimination and needing to string together two straight wins to keep their season alive.
McCain, now firmly in the rotation of a contender, delivered another statement performance. He finished with 20 points in his first career playoff start, exploding for 18 of those in the second half as Oklahoma City pulled away late. One highlight finish in traffic summed up his confidence, a player growing more comfortable with every high-pressure moment.
His rise carries a familiar backdrop. McCain was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Thunder at the February deadline in a deal that brought back a late 2026 first-round pick and three second-round selections. At the time, then 76ers executive Daryl Morey defended the move by suggesting the organisation had “sold high”, a line that has only aged more awkwardly as McCain’s form has taken off in Oklahoma City.
Since arriving at the Thunder, he has steadily built into his role in a winning system. Across 30 regular-season games he averaged 10.4 points and 2.1 rebounds, before lifting his production further in the postseason.
Through the Western Finals, McCain has become a genuine difference-maker, and the Game 5 showing only strengthened that reputation.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again led the way for Oklahoma City with 33 points, nine assists and two steals. It wasn’t his sharpest shooting game at 7-of-19 from the field, but he controlled the game from the free-throw line, knocking down 16 of 17 attempts to steady the Thunder whenever San Antonio threatened a run
Victor Wembanyama finished with 20 points, six rebounds, three blocks and two steals, but struggled to find rhythm against OKC’s defensive pressure, shooting just 4-of-15 from the field. He did go a perfect 12-of-12 at the line, but was largely contained in the half court before being subbed out late as the game slipped away.
Alex Caruso provided another valuable spark off the bench with 22 points, six assists and three steals in 28 minutes, continuing his impact in key moments.
Stephon Castle added 24 points and Julian Champagnie chipped in 22, but San Antonio once again lacked consistent scoring depth beyond its leading trio.
It was a frustrating game for the Spurs, and especially for head coach Mitch Johnson.
Late in the third quarter, Johnson was visibly furious after demanding a challenge on an out-of-bounds call, only to seemingly be ignored by officials. The frustration quickly boiled over, resulting in a technical foul as tensions mounted on the San Antonio bench.
In many ways, the sequence summed up the Spurs’ game, a team fighting hard but unable to build momentum as Oklahoma City gradually took control.
The Thunder led by double digits at halftime and, despite a brief San Antonio surge in the fourth quarter, responded with a decisive late run to put the game out of reach and seize control of the series.
During the post-match press conference, Stephon Castle had suggested the San Antonio Spurs are not receiving the same leeway to play physical defence as the Oklahoma City Thunder throughout the series.
Physicality has been a defining feature of the series, with players such as Isaiah Hartenstein, Lu Dort, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace all setting an aggressive tone on defence. But while Oklahoma City’s intensity has drawn attention, the Spurs have also matched it at times, with Castle often taking the lead in his on-ball battles with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
After Game 5, Castle pointed to what he believes is an imbalance in how that physicality is being officiated.
“The way they guard, how physical they are, we don’t get that same luxury to be able to play as physical on the other end at times,” he said. “But offensively, I think we do great at screening and playing through it.”
His comments reflect a growing frustration within the Spurs camp, who feel the contact threshold has not been applied evenly across both sides. At the same time, Oklahoma City’s own defensive approach has been a major talking point throughout the series, with both teams pushing the limits of what’s allowed.
Despite the complaints, Castle made clear the Spurs remain focused on responding on the court, with Game 6 looming as a must-win back in San Antonio.