Spurs’ comeback hopes fade as Thunder even West Finals

OKLAHOMA CITY – The San Antonio Spurs finally ran out of answers Wednesday night.

After stealing Game 1 in double overtime, San Antonio battled through exhaustion, injuries and a thin rotation before falling 122-113 to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. The series is now tied 1-1 heading back to San Antonio.

Why it matters: The Spurs proved again they belong on this stage, but the cost of their playoff run is starting to show.

• San Antonio was already without De’Aaron Fox because of an ankle injury.
• Rookie guard Dylan Harper exited in the third quarter with a hamstring injury.
• The Spurs also looked drained after Monday’s double-overtime thriller.

The big picture: Oklahoma City responded exactly like a No. 1 seed facing an early series deficit.

• NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bounced back with 30 points and nine assists after a quieter Game 1. 
• The Thunder bench overwhelmed San Antonio’s reserves 57-25.
• Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren helped limit Victor Wembanyama’s dominance after his historic 41-point opener. 

By the numbers:

• Stephon Castle led the Spurs with 25 points, but also committed nine turnovers.
• Wembanyama finished with 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and four blocks.
• San Antonio turned the ball over 21 times for the second straight game.

What changed: Every time the Spurs threatened, Oklahoma City answered with depth and physicality.

San Antonio trimmed the deficit to two late in the fourth quarter before the Thunder slammed the door with an 11-0 run fueled by transition offense and offensive rebounds.

One bright spot: Castle continued to look fearless on the playoff stage.

• The second-year guard attacked relentlessly and kept the Spurs within striking distance even as the roster around him thinned out.

What they’re saying: Spurs coach Mitch Johnson acknowledged the wear and tear after the loss, especially in the backcourt rotation, while emphasizing the need to clean up turnovers before Game 3.

• “We’ve addressed it, and we’ll continue to just in terms of trying to help him with some of his reads, especially when he’s tired," he said. "He had too many turnovers, but our whole team did.”

What’s next: The series shifts to the Frost Bank Center for Game 3 on Friday night, with the Spurs hoping home court, and extra rest, can help stabilize a battered roster.