2026 NBA Playoffs Live Updates: 2026 NBA Playoffs, Western Conference Finals | Spurs-Thunder Run It Back After Classic
Follow along with Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, as the Spurs and Thunder square off after a double-overtime thriller in Game 1.
Ben Lambert, for NBA.com | Updated on May 21, 2026 1:49 AM
Stephon Castle lifted off as the Spurs face the Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock. Enjoy the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Tuesday’s action.
Tonight, Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs are back in Oklahoma City for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder, squaring off again after a double-overtime classic in Game 1.
Last night’s live blog: Knicks win with miraculous comeback
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What we know about Wednesday’s game: Teams that take a 2-0 lead in the NBA Playoffs have gone on to win their series 92.6% of the time.
MAY 20, 2026 / 9:43 ET
Thunder lead 62-51 at the half
OKC controlled the second quarter 31-20, opening up a double-digit lead over San Antonio at intermission in the Paycom Center. Isaiah Hartenstein has limited Victor Wembanyama (7 pts, 5 reb, 2 ast) so far, especially compared to his gargantuan Game 1 effort.
“They’re a great team — they’re a great defensive team,” said Hartenstein. “We’ve just got to make sure we’re doing our thing.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (15 pts on 11 shots, 5 ast) has found spots to get open in the midrange, probing and fading away to put up jumpers. He hasn’t attempted a 3-pointer, but is 3-of-3 from the line. The reigning Kia MVP is +10 so far tonight, after being -15 at the half in Game 1.
The Thunder forced 13 turnovers in the first half, earning a 16-5 lead in points off turnovers. OKC also has a 28-10 lead in bench points — Cason Wallace (9 pts, 3-of-4 3PA) has been a standout in 10 minutes.
MAY 20, 2026 / 9:35 ET
Hartenstein on Wemby
Isaiah Hartenstein has held Victor Wembanyama (5 pts) to just three shot attempts so far tonight. His strength is making it difficult for The Alien to find space to drive and finish around the rim. After avoiding the matchup in Game 1, Mark Daigneault has gone to it here with success.
MAY 20, 2026 / 9:29 ET
‘Can we catch our breath?’
Asked Reggie Miller as we headed to break with the Thunder up 56-47 with 2:39 to go in the half, following a frenetic few minutes of basketball. These teams are playing physically — lots of contact, bodies hitting the floor and aggressive drives. Luke Kornet may not be able to survive in this series — his lateral quickness is under attack.
Stephon Castle (16 pts) has steadied the Spurs, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (13 pts, 5 ast) is battling his way to success for the Thunder. OKC is up to 6-of-13 (46.2%) from 3-point range, while the Spurs have slipped to 5-of-13 (38.5%).
MAY 20, 2026 / 9:18 ET
Castle detonates!
What a poster from the Spurs’ point guard! Cocked it back with one hand and threw it down over Isaiah Hartenstein. A 116.9 on the Dunk Score scale.
STEPHON CASTLE, OH MY GOODNESS 🤯 A MONSTER POSTER SLAM!
https://t.co/ocRpJ6hhhu pic.twitter.com/G4v5cxUVqN
— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2026
MAY 20, 2026 / 9:16 ET
The Thunder guards strike
43-37 Thunder with 8:45 to go in the second period. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9 pts, 4 ast) and Alex Caruso (7 pts on 2 shots) have all of the Thunder’s 12 points in the period. Mitch Johnson tried veteran guard Jordan McLaughlin, to limited avail.
MAY 20, 2026 / 9:07 ET
Tied after one
31-all, as the Thunder and Spurs combine for 13 lead changes and five ties in the first quarter. We’ve picked up right where we left off emotionally, but, as Reggie Miller noted, these teams are tired. The Thunder have more depth, especially with De’Aaron Fox out — we’ll see if the Spurs can keep their legs throughout the game.
Stephon Castle (8 pts, 3 reb) is the top scorer for the Spurs, while Lu Dort (6 pts) leads the nine Thunder who have scored.
Castle swishes the tough floater 🤯 He's got 8 PTS in Q1 of Game 2!
— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2026
Oklahoma City’s shooting 60% from the field, while San Antonio’s at 45%. But the Spurs are 5-of-10 (50%) from 3-point range, evening matters. It’s a good one on NBC and Peacock!
MAY 20, 2026 / 9:02 ET
Wembanyama re-enters game; Thunder find intensity
25-all with 1:24 to go in the first quarter. Chet Holmgren, who just knocked down a game-tying 3-pointer, is now matched up with Victor Wembanyama. Keep an eye on Jared McCain (3 pts, 2 ast) — the Duke product is playing with fire in his belly so far in this series, going at the Spurs’ young guards.
MAY 20, 2026 / 8:50 ET
The first subs
The Thunder have substituted in Jaylin Williams and Alex Caruso, removing Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren. The Spurs have put in Luke Kornet and Keldon Johnson, removing Victor Wembanyama and Julian Champagnie. J-Will immediately hit a 3-pointer. He was effective in the regular season against the Spurs, posting a pair of double-doubles.
On the next possession, the Thunder put in Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain, removing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams, while the Spurs swapped Carter Bryant for Dylan Harper. Interesting to see SGA take a rest early — maybe avoiding the wear-and-tear of Bryant, who had solid pressure defense in Game 1? 14-all with 6:13 to go in the first.
MAY 20, 2026 / 8:42 ET
Dylan Harper on the attack
10-9 Spurs with 8:59 to go in the first, as Dylan Harper slashes to the rim, bumping Lu Dort out of the way for the finish. It’s hard to do that to the stout-bodied Dort — the rook has real athletic ability. On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (4 pts) has found his touch in the midrange early, fading away from Stephon Castle to stick a few jump shots. They’ve been tough, contested looks, but SGA can make those look easy.
MAY 20, 2026 / 8:15 ET
Your Kia All-Rookie teams
The 2025-26 @Kia NBA All-Rookie First Team!
Cedric Coward
VJ Edgecombe
Cooper Flagg
Dylan Harper
Kon Knueppel
— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2026
The 2025-26 @Kia NBA All-Rookie Second Team!
Ace Bailey
Jeremiah Fears
Collin Murray-Boyles
Derik Queen
Maxime Raynaud
— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2026
MAY 20, 2026 / 7:35 ET
Fox out again
Spurs' De'Aaron Fox is expected to miss his second consecutive contest in Game 2 tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a right high ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 20, 2026
Expect Dylan Harper, who put up 24 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 steals in Game 1, to replace Fox in the starting lineup. Harper’s rim pressure may be superior at this point — he can be a force out there.
MAY 20, 2026 / 6:00 ET
Starting Lineups: Spurs-Thunder, Game 2
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder host the San Antonio Spurs in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals tonight on NBC and Peacock.
San Antonio:
PG De’Aaron Fox — Fox is questionable for tonight’s contest after missing Game 1. If healthy, his speed and quickness could challenge OKC’s defense, but he’ll have to hold off Dylan Harper, who starred for the Spurs in the first game of the series.
SG Stephon Castle — Castle put up 17 points and 11 assists in Game 1, but also committed 11 turnovers. If he can cut down on those in Game 2, it’ll go a long way.
SF Devin Vassell — Vassell, Castle and Carter Bryant provided excellent defense on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Game 1, with Vassell knocking in a few timely 3-pointers as well.
PF Julian Champagnie — The St. John’s product logged 44:06 in Game 1, hanging ably against the varied Thunder attack.
C Victor Wembanyama — 41 points, 24 rebounds, a Steph Curry-summoning 3-pointer. It’d be hard for The Alien to top his Game 1 performance, but I’m excited to see him try.
Oklahoma City:
PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — SGA never looked comfortable in Game 1, putting up 24 points (and 12 assists) on 23 shots. The presence of Victor Wembanyama cuts off his driving lanes, and the Spurs are rangy enough to bother his stepback jumpers.
SG Luguentz Dort — We’ll see who Mark Daigneault chooses in this spot. Dort, Ajay Mitchell, Cason Wallace and Jared McCain all had moments in Game 1.
SF Jalen Williams — Williams returned with aggression on offense, putting up 26 points on 25 shots, but a limited ability to affect Victor Wembanyama on defense.
PF Chet Holmgren — Wherefore art thou, Chet? The Thunder need more than 8 points and 8 rebounds from their unicorn big man.
C Isaiah Hartenstein — I would be interested to see if Hartenstein could give Wembanyama any trouble. He lost minutes to Alex Caruso in Game 1, who was stellar, but ended up battling Luke Kornet to limited impact.
MAY 20, 2026 / 5:45 ET
Wednesday’s injury report
De’Aaron Fox is questionable for the Spurs, while Thomas Sorber is out for the Thunder.
Related
Thunder need try to limit Wemby in Game 2 — Defending champion OKC needs to figure out how to limit Victor Wembanyama while getting more from Chet Holmgren.
Flagg, Knueppel headline Kia All-Rookie Teams — VJ Edgecombe, Dylan Harper and Cedric Coward join Flagg and Knueppel on the Kia All-Rookie First Team.
Starting 5: A historic start to Conference Finals — The Knicks rally in the 4th and win in OT to make history, plus we look ahead to Game 2 of the West Finals tonight.
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