Victor Wembanyama put up 28 points and 10 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs dismantled the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-91 on Thursday night, forcing a Game 7 in the Western Conference finals.
The win was decisive. San Antonio led wire to wire and never let Oklahoma City back into the game, turning what had been a must-win situation into a statement performance. According to ESPN, the Spurs were facing elimination heading into Game 6.
Oklahoma City's offense fell apart at the worst possible moment. Jalen Williams, returning from a hamstring strain, scored only one point. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged more than 32 points per game during the regular season, finished with less than half that total. ESPN reported that both players were largely ineffective as the Thunder dropped the game by 27 points.
Williams had been listed as questionable heading into the contest, and his hamstring injury appeared to limit his ability to drive and create. Without him functioning at full capacity, the Thunder lacked a reliable secondary option next to Gilgeous-Alexander, and San Antonio's defense made them pay throughout the night.
Wembanyama controlled the game on both ends of the floor. He was aggressive early, establishing position in the paint and extending to the perimeter on defense. His 28-point, 10-rebound line was his biggest performance of the series, arriving exactly when San Antonio needed it most. CBS Sports noted that the Spurs delivered a beatdown of the defending champion Thunder with their backs against the wall.
The result sets up a winner-take-all Game 7. Oklahoma City will need Williams healthy and Gilgeous-Alexander back to his dominant form if they want to hold off a Spurs team that has now demonstrated it can beat the Thunder convincingly. San Antonio will look to ride Wembanyama's momentum into what will be the most important game of the young center's professional career.
Game 7 is scheduled for this weekend, with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line.
