How did Thunder beat Spurs 123-108?

Thunder escape early deficit to win Game 3

Oklahoma City captured Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals with a 123-108 win over the San Antonio Spurs, taking a 2-1 series lead. The most dramatic part of the game came before halftime: San Antonio started extremely quickly, pushing the Thunder into a 15-point deficit minutes into the contest.

Instead of losing momentum after that setback, the Thunder leaned into an adjustment that showed up in the scoreboard. Recaps repeatedly highlight how OKC’s bench contributions swung the contest—providing a scoring cushion that allowed Oklahoma City to close the gap and then keep the pressure on as the game unfolded.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remained the central offensive driver. He scored 26 points and added 12 assists, giving Oklahoma City a reliable engine to run their offense through even as the Spurs looked to contain their primary threats. But the margin ultimately reflects more than one player’s production.

The game’s key patterns

• Spurs’ hot start vs. Thunder’s response: San Antonio jumped out early, but OKC answered quickly enough to avoid being stuck in a runaway scoreline.
• Bench scoring changed the tone: Multiple accounts emphasize Oklahoma City’s reserves as the difference-makers once the game’s momentum began to shift.
• Sustained scoring after the comeback: Oklahoma City didn’t just tie the game—it kept generating points to stay in control.

With the win, the Thunder forced the series into a new phase where San Antonio must respond to Oklahoma City’s ability to overcome an early hole. That makes Game 3 a particularly important data point: it shows the Thunder can absorb early adversity while still producing enough offense to keep the Spurs from regaining full control.