{"id":666604,"date":"2026-05-12T19:10:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T19:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/666604\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T19:10:26","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T19:10:26","slug":"starting-5-okc-advances-cavs-stay-alive-and-a-look-at-game-5-of-wolves-spurs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/666604\/","title":{"rendered":"Starting 5: OKC advances, Cavs stay alive and a look at Game 5 of Wolves-Spurs"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

Donovan Mitchell’s historic second half helps Cavs even series, Thunder complete second consecutive sweep on Monday.<\/p>\n

The reigning champs are rolling back to the West Finals.<\/p>\n

OKC punches its ticket to the next round, remaining unbeaten this postseason.<\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

OKC Advances: SGA & Ajay Mitchell shine as Thunder edge Lakers, return to West Finals<\/p>\n

Ajay\u2019s Ascent: A breakout star is budding for OKC amid its 8-0 Playoff run<\/p>\n

Spida Show: Donovan Mitchell delivers record 2nd-half eruption as Cavs even series 2-2<\/p>\n

Ant\u2019s Closing Arsenal: Edwards\u2019 offensive evolution fuels Wolves in winning time<\/p>\n

Young Response: Castle & Harper keep answering under Playoff pressure. Can they do it again?<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

Tonight on NBC & Peacock, Anthony Edwards\u2019 Wolves visit Victor Wembanyama\u2019s Spurs in a pivotal Game 5, with the series tied 2-2 (8 ET<\/a> | Tap to Watch<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

1. OKC STAYS UNBEATEN IN PLAYOFFS, ADVANCES TO WEST FINALS<\/p>\n

\"Thunder<\/p>\n

Back-to-back sweeps. Back to the West Finals.<\/p>\n

And to close out the Lakers, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander saved his best for last<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Thunder 115, Lakers 110: SGA tallied game highs in points (35) and assists (8), while Ajay Mitchell remained red-hot (28 pts, 4 ast, 4 stl) as OKC edged LeBron James (24 pts, 12 reb) and the Lakers in the final minute, winning the series in four to return to the West Finals. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Shai<\/p>\n

L.A. Charge: With James, Austin Reaves (27 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast) and Rui Hachimura (25 pts, 4 3pm) leading the way, the Lakers scored 39 in the 3rd, flipping a four-point halftime deficit into a four-point lead entering the 4th
\nOKC Answer: The 4th saw no lead greater than six, as OKC clawed its way back to tie the game at 92 with 6:53 left
\nThen, Electricity: The teams went shot-for-shot from there, with Marcus Smart\u2019s and-one giving the Lakers a 110-109 edge with 41 ticks left as Crypto.com Arena went into a frenzy<\/a>
\nChamps Stay Steady: Chet Holmgren answered with a go-ahead dunk<\/a>, before SGA and Mitchell each added a pair of free throws to close on a 6-0 run, silencing a raucous crowd
\n\u201cBasketball at its highest form<\/a>,\u201d said Shai of the close. \u201cCrazy shot-making. We were going back-and-forth \u2026 both groups fought like hell, but Thunder win.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Chet<\/p>\n

\u2018Thunder win,\u2019 has become a familiar ending. After leading the league in regular-season victories (64) for a second straight year, OKC is now 8-0 this postseason.<\/p>\n

Only three other defending champions have opened a Playoff run 8-0: the 2016-17 Cavs, the 2000-01 Lakers and the 1988-89 Lakers.<\/p>\n

And the Thunder have stormed through their competition at a rare pace.<\/p>\n

Relentless: OKC has now won its eight games by an average of 16.6 points \u2013 the 3rd-highest point differential of any team to open a postseason 8-0
\nThe Key? Balance, as the Thunder are pouring in a Playoff-best 121.3 ppg while allowing just 104.6 \u2013 an even stingier mark than last year\u2019s title run (106.3)<\/p>\n

That two-way dominance has fueled one of the most commanding postseason starts in recent memory, as OKC has spent less than six total minutes trailing in the 4th quarter through eight games.<\/p>\n

More than five of those minutes came last night to close out Los Angeles, and OKC knows there\u2019s still a long road ahead.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything we\u2019ve done is behind us,\u201d said SGA. \u201cWe still haven\u2019t reached our goal.\u201d<\/p>\n

2. MORE THAN A SPARK: AJAY MITCHELL ANSWERS THE CALL AGAIN<\/p>\n

\"Ajay<\/p>\n

Deep Playoff runs and deep rotations often go hand in hand, and much of OKC\u2019s 8-0 start has been defined by its depth.<\/p>\n

From Chet Holmgren\u2019s Game 1 takeover to beat the Lakers to Jared McCain\u2019s hot hand, the Thunder have gotten contributions from every corner of the roster.<\/p>\n

But one name keeps surfacing: Ajay Mitchell.<\/p>\n

The Opportunity: With Jalen Williams sidelined to start the season, Mitchell got his shot in OKC\u2019s primary rotation and took advantage, earning 16 starts and more than doubling his ppg from his rookie year (6.5 \u2192 13.6)
\nThe Elevation: The Year 2 guard has taken another leap in the Playoffs, averaging 18.8 points, 5 dimes and 1.4 steals while helping fill the void left by Williams (2 GP, hamstring)
\nThe Shine: Against Los Angeles, Mitchell\u2019s breakout kept building, scoring 20 in Game 3, a Playoff career-high 24 in Game 4, then topping it with 28 last night<\/a> to send OKC back to the West Finals
\n\u201cIt\u2019s been amazing,\u201d said SGA of Mitchell\u2019s play. \u201cYou could say he\u2019s been the best player this series. With Dub being out, we rely on him so much on the ball. He\u2019s just answered the call.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, the 23-year-old lefty \u2013 who has played through tragedy<\/a> this season \u2013 has gone from spark plug to series-shaper, ranking 2nd on OKC in total points and assists this postseason, behind only SGA.<\/p>\n

Like Shai, Mitchell has embodied the Thunder\u2019s two-way identity. He helped keep Austin Reaves in check while ranking 3rd on the team in steals this postseason, including four last night.<\/p>\n

\u201cTaking pride in [defense],\u201d said Mitchell on the key to his breakout. \u201cThat\u2019s been my goal the whole year, and I think that\u2019s most important for our team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, that team has another young difference-maker, adding yet another layer to the depth fueling their title defense.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverything about Ajay,\u201d said SGA. \u201cHis mental, his skillset, his work ethic, it\u2019s all coming together before the world\u2019s eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. SPIDA\u2019S HISTORIC 2ND HALF EVENS CAVS-PISTONS AT 2-2<\/p>\n

\"Donovan<\/p>\n

The Cavs were down 56-52 at halftime, two quarters away from a potential 3-1 series deficit, and Donovan Mitchell had four points.<\/p>\n

Twenty-four minutes later, Spida had authored one of the greatest scoring halves in Playoff history \u2013 and the series was tied 2-2.<\/p>\n

Cavaliers 112, Pistons 103: After going 1-of-8 in the 1st half, Mitchell (43 pts, 5 reb) exploded in the 2nd, dropping 39 points \u2013 tied for the highest-scoring half<\/a> in Playoff history \u2013 as Cleveland stormed past Cade Cunningham (19 pts, 6 ast) and Detroit to even the series. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cI apologized to the group,\u201d said Mitchell on his halftime message. \u201cI came in and told my guys, \u2018It\u2019s on me.\u2019 And I tried to make a statement in the 2nd half<\/a>.\u201d
\nHe Did: Mitchell opened the 3rd with a floater, an and-one, then a 3 \u2013 a personal 8-0 burst to take the lead, and a precursor for what was coming\u2026
\nCavalanche: Four minutes later, Cleveland was up 18, riding a 22-0 tidal wave. That\u2019s the largest unanswered run to open a Playoff half since play-by-play data was first tracked in 1997-98
\nComplete Takeover: Mitchell scored 16 points during the burst, finished the 3rd with 21, then added 18 more in the 4th to slam the door
\n\u201cI\u2019ve seen a lot of Playoff games,\u201d said NBC\u2019s Grant Hill. \u201cI\u2019m not sure I\u2019ve seen a half quite like this.\u201d
\nCavs\u2019 Core: James Harden (24 pts, 11 ast) and Evan Mobley (17 pts, 8 reb, 3 stl, 5 blk) added big boosts as Cleveland outscored Detroit 60-47 in the final two quarters<\/p>\n

\"Donovan<\/p>\n

Money-Time Mitchell: Spida has made a career of elevating his game in the Playoffs, averaging 28.1 ppg \u2013 the 7th-highest postseason scoring average of all-time (min. 20 GP).<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not just the points. It\u2019s the timing.<\/p>\n

On Monday, when his team needed him most, Mitchell delivered another masterpiece.<\/p>\n

Extra Gear: After dropping 31 in a Game 2 loss, Mitchell leveled up with 35 to lead the Cavs to a Game 3 win, cutting the series deficit to 2-1
\nThen, Last Night: Mitchell\u2019s 39 2nd-half points tied Sleepy Floyd for the most in a Playoff half in NBA history \u2013 a record set on May 10, 1987, exactly 39 years and one day earlier
\nOn His Back: Since 2019-20, Mitchell has eight 40-point Playoff games (tied for the 2nd-most in that span) and 11 halves with 25+ points \u2014 more than any player
\nFor Cleveland, that latest half changed everything, turning a potential 3-1 hole into a best-of-three series, tied 2-2 heading back to Detroit for Game 5 (Wednesday, 8 ET, ESPN)
\n\u201cIncredible performance,\u201d said Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson. \u201cWhat a shift.\u201d<\/p>\n

4. ANT LEADS WOLVES INTO SAN ANTONIO FOR PIVOTAL GAME 5<\/p>\n

\"Anthony<\/p>\n

When Anthony Edwards dropped 16 of his 36 points in the 4th quarter of Game 4, it didn\u2019t just help tie the series \u2014 it put his name among some serious all-time greats.<\/p>\n

Sunday added another entry to Edwards\u2019 growing resume of late-game Playoff moments, pushing him over 300 career 4th-quarter postseason points \u2013 something only five other players have achieved in the play-by-play era before turning 25.<\/p>\n

Their names? Jayson Tatum, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was special,\u201d said Wolves coach Chris Finch of Ant after Game 4. \u201cThis is what he loves and what he lives for. Not just big games, but big moments.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tonight (8 ET, NBC\/Peacock), with eyes on a third straight Conference Finals, Edwards leads Minnesota into San Antonio for a crucial Game 5.<\/p>\n

\"Anthony<\/p>\n

Edwards\u2019 latest 4th-quarter takeover wasn\u2019t just powered by his trademark confidence, though.<\/p>\n

It showcased the evolution of a scoring arsenal that\u2019s made the 24-year-old one of the NBA\u2019s toughest late-game covers.<\/p>\n

Adding Layers: Once primarily known as a slasher, Ant expanded his game in 2024-25, posting career-highs in 3-point attempts (10.3) and percentage (39.5%) while leading the NBA in 3s made (320) and attempted (811)
\nThe Next Counter: This season, Edwards added another scoring wrinkle<\/a>, taking 3.9 midrange shots per game and hitting at a 43.3% clip \u2013 both career-bests
\nComplete Package: With defenses forced to respect every level, Ant\u2019s biggest strengths have become even harder to contain, as he shot a career-best 59% off drives and 39.9% from 3 this season
\nThe Result? A career-high 28.8 ppg
\n\u201cThe No. 1 thing he wanted to do this year was get a repeatable shot in the midrange,\u201d said Finch in February. \u201cUp until this season, he generally would close with the 3-point shot \u2026 now he\u2019s mixing it up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Anthony<\/p>\n

That expanded shot diet has shaped this Wolves-Spurs matchup in crunch time.<\/p>\n

\u2b06\ufe0f Inside Attack: Through three quarters of Game 4, four of Edwards\u2019 seven makes came at the rim<\/a>
\n\u23eb Midrange Counter: When San Antonio brought help inside, Edwards answered with three straight midrange buckets to open the 4th
\n\u23ec 3-Point Pull: Once the defense crept higher to take those away, he stretched them even further, drilling back-to-back 3s to give Minnesota the lead
\n\u2b07\ufe0f Then, The Payoff: With San Antonio stretched thin to contain Edwards, Minnesota went back inside, scoring all six of its clutch-time field goals at the rim to secure the win<\/p>\n

\"Anthony<\/p>\n

The Closing Impact: The Wolves are 4-3 vs. the Spurs this season, outscoring San Antonio by an average of 7.4 points in the 4th quarter.<\/p>\n

The difference? Edwards \u2013 averaging 10 points in those seven closing quarters.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s who he is,\u201d said Finch of Ant\u2019s clutch gene after Game 4. \u201cThat\u2019s who we need him to be. We\u2019re lucky to have him \u2013 and he\u2019s special, no doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n

5. SPURS SEEK RESPONSE, YOUNG GUARDS READY FOR NEXT TEST<\/p>\n

\"Kon<\/p>\n

Edwards may have swung Game 4 late, but the Spurs have spent this postseason proving they can respond to adversity.<\/p>\n

San Antonio is 2-0 following losses in these Playoffs, including a 38-point win in Game 2 after Minnesota took the series opener.<\/p>\n

A major reason for those bounce-back performances? The continued growth of young guards Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper alongside veteran De\u2019Aaron Fox.<\/p>\n

Young Duo Delivers: After dropping Game 2 of the First Round to Portland, Castle (33 pts) and Harper (27) stepped up in Victor Wembanyama\u2019s absence (concussion), combining for 60 points to power San Antonio\u2019s Game 3 win
\nThe Power OF Three: In San Antonio\u2019s Game 2 bounce-back vs. Minnesota, Castle, Harper and Fox combined for 48, as the Spurs rolled to their 3rd-largest win in Playoff history
\nLatest Test: On Sunday, all three guards topped 20 points as San Antonio nearly stole a road win despite losing Wemby to a 2nd-quarter ejection<\/p>\n

\"Dylan<\/p>\n

What do all three games have in common? In each case, San Antonio turned to its backcourt in pressure-packed spots.<\/p>\n

And in all three instances, Harper and Castle \u2013 each playing in their first postseason \u2013 provided stability alongside Fox.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we respond well to adversity,\u201d said Castle after Game 2. \u201cWe\u2019ve done that all year \u2026 I think for me, and us as a group, our aggressiveness goes up a level after a loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

No Fear: That assertiveness has Castle in rare company. He\u2019s averaging 18.9 points and 6.1 assists this postseason \u2013 numbers unmatched by any player under 21 through his first nine career Playoff games since LeBron James.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Harper is the first rookie since Jayson Tatum to record multiple Playoff games with 24+ points and 7+ boards.<\/p>\n

Now, the young duo will look to deliver again as the winner of Game 5 in a Conference Semifinal tied 2-2 moves on 84.2% of the time (80-15).<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s first to four,\u201d said Harper after Sunday\u2019s loss. \u201cThis series wasn\u2019t going to be easy, we knew that \u2026 we\u2019re just gonna keep attacking, attacking, attacking.\u201d<\/p>\n

Want to share\u00a0Starting\u00a05\u00a0with a friend?\u00a0Send them this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shape the Starting 5.\u00a0\u00a0Email us here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t have the NBA App? Download it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n