Oklahoma City had cut the gap to just five points early in the third quarter of Game 6, but a stretch of 13 missed shots let San Antonio take control.
The Spurs' 20-0 run during that span has now become the main focus as both teams get ready for Game 7. San Antonio led from start to finish, but Oklahoma City wasn't completely out of it. The Thunder were down by five and then by four, still within reach.
Even when they trailed 72-64, there was a window to push back before things slipped away. Oklahoma City had opportunities, but San Antonio took control when it mattered most.
After an Isaiah Hartenstein miss, the Spurs went on a 20-0 run, extending their lead to 92-64 with just over a minute left in the third. The Thunder missed 13 straight shots and didn't score for more than seven minutes.
Eleven of those points came while Wembanyama was sitting, and Oklahoma City couldn't find an answer. The Thunder managed just 13 points in that quarter – their lowest total in any quarter this season.
Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images
San Antonio knocked down 15 threes, with 14 of them coming off assists. Oklahoma City hit 10 threes and shot just 25 per cent from deep, while the Spurs' bench outscored OKC's reserves 46-38.
The Thunder starters shot just 3-of-18 from three-point range. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed all five of his attempts, and Oklahoma City went 0-of-8 from deep in the third quarter as the game got away from them.
Oklahoma City needs to create openings earlier, rather than forcing shots into traffic late in the shot clock. That means getting Gilgeous-Alexander involved before the defence is set and using Chet Holmgren or Hartenstein to move the ball before San Antonio can settle in.
Daigneault also has a decision to make with Jalen Williams . He came back from his hamstring issue but played just 10 minutes off the bench, scoring only one point.
Whether he gets more time in Game 7 or McCain keeps his place in the lineup will shape how much playmaking OKC has on the wings. Another stretch like that third quarter could decide their season.
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