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Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren are facing off as the Spurs take on the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock.<\/p>\n
Enjoy the best of the\u00a02026 NBA Playoffs<\/a>, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Monday\u2019s action.<\/p>\n What we know about Monday\u2019s game:<\/p>\n The Spurs won the season series over the Thunder 3-1, adding an additional win in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinal. MAY 18, 2026 \/ 9:37 ET<\/p>\n Spurs up 51-44 at the half<\/p>\n Victor Wembanyama (14 pts, 10 reb) is out of the gates quickly, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (4 pts) was limited to his fewest points in a Playoff half since 2020.<\/p>\n The Spurs held the Thunder to 37.2% shooting in the first half, although they\u2019re only shooting 41.9% themselves.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s our calling card. That\u2019s what gets our engine running. I think when we get out and run, we\u2019re the best team in the world,\u201d said Stephon Castle. \u201cI think if we took care of the ball, we\u2019d have an even bigger lead right now, so we\u2019re going to try to clean that up in the second half.\u201d<\/p>\n SGA is a team-low -15 at the break, while Wembanyama is a game-high +15.<\/p>\n MAY 18, 2026 \/ 9:28 ET<\/p>\n OKC out and running<\/p>\n The Thunder have a 12-0 lead in fast break points so far, as they cut the Spurs\u2019 lead to 44-41 with 3:40 to go in the first half.<\/p>\n Jared McCain just went coast-to-coast, attacking Luke Kornet backpedaling on the break. Kornet\u2019s quickness could be tested in this series against an athletic Thunder squad.<\/p>\n MAY 18, 2026 \/ 9:22 ET<\/p>\n Carter Bryant all over the place<\/p>\n Watch the Spurs rookie\u2019s defense on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.<\/p>\n The athletic 6\u20196\u2033 wing, who was a contestant in the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest, is picking up full court and harassing the newly-crowned Kia MVP, including forcing a turnover a moment ago.<\/p>\n MAY 18, 2026 \/ 9:19 ET<\/p>\n Spurs take a lead<\/p>\n 40-32 with 7:20 to go in the half.<\/p>\n Victor Wembanyama (10 pts, 10 reb) just scored back-to-back buckets, including a remarkable no-leap dunk, with a 3-pointer from Alex Caruso (13 pts) in-between.<\/p>\n MAY 18, 2026 \/ 9:06 ET<\/p>\n Tied at 27 after one<\/p>\n We\u2019ve seen four lead changes and three ties so far in this contest, as Oklahoma City rallies following a strong start by San Antonio.<\/p>\n The Thunder have received 15 points from their bench, led by Alex Caruso (10 pts), who leads them in scoring, along with Jalen Williams (10 pts). Stephon Castle (11 pts) is the top man for the Spurs.<\/p>\n San Antonio is shooting just 38.1% from the field and has committed five turnovers, but is 8-of-9 from the free throw stripe to even it out.<\/p>\n Ajay Mitchell leads the game at +6 \u2014 he sparked the Thunder offense after coming in off the bench.<\/p>\n MAY 18, 2026 \/ 9:02 ET<\/p>\n Thunder tie it up as J-Dub gets loose<\/p>\n 25-all as the first quarter winds down.<\/p>\n Jalen Williams (8 pts) has woken up in his return game, getting to the rim repeatedly with Victor Wembanyama out of the game.<\/p>\n MAY 18, 2026 \/ 8:51 ET<\/p>\n Caruso immediately responds<\/p>\n Alex Caruso puts in back-to-back layups for the Thunder, cutting the lead to 12-7 with 6:48 to go in the first.<\/p>\n The Thunder were settling themselves down in the huddle after the Spurs quick run to start the game \u2014 Caruso, the oldest player on the team, immediately settles them down.<\/p>\n MAY 18, 2026 \/ 8:48 ET<\/p>\n Spurs out to 12-3 lead<\/p>\n This is tied for the largest deficit the Thunder have faced in the postseason \u2014 the Suns also had a nine-point lead in Game 3 of their first round series.<\/p>\n Stephon Castle hit a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer to open the game, which is always crucial for the Spurs, and Julian Champagnie\u2019s added one as well.<\/p>\n MAY 18, 2026 \/ 8:45 ET<\/p>\n A star-studded matchup tips off<\/p>\n The 2025-26 @Kia<\/a> NBA Defensive Player of the Year and the 2025-26 @Kia<\/a> NBA Most Valuable Player take the floor for Game 1 on NBC & Peacock! https:\/\/t.co\/n3WiGi9YnT<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/sliPdjRHzD<\/a><\/p>\n
\nSan Antonio was the only team with a winning record versus Oklahoma City this season.
\nThis is the first time two teams with 62 wins or more have played in the NBA Playoffs since the 1998 NBA Finals.
\nThe team that wins Game 1 of the Conference Finals has gone on to win the series 78.2% of the time in NBA history.<\/p>\n
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