Overview
- Oklahoma City defeated San Antonio 123-108 in Game 3, giving the Thunder a 2-1 lead after a rally powered by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and an unusually large scoring outburst from reserves.
- Shai finished Game 3 with 26 points and 12 assists while Oklahoma City's bench combined for roughly three times the Spurs' reserve scoring, exposing San Antonio's depth shortfall.
- Victor Wembanyama scored 26 for the Spurs and publicly said he must be "more of a team player," but San Antonio's bench produced just 23 points and the team could not sustain its early 15-0 start.
- The New York Knicks beat Cleveland 121-108 in Game 3 to take a 3-0 lead, extending a long postseason winning streak and putting the Knicks one victory from their first NBA Finals since 1999.
- Injuries and availability are reshaping both series with De'Aaron Fox playing but limited, Oklahoma City missing Jalen Williams with hamstring tightness, and Cleveland struggling with inconsistent shooting from its primary creators.