Shai Gilgeous-Alexander overcame a slow start to score 32 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 to move within one win of a second consecutive NBA Finals appearance.
Gilgeous-Alexander missed his first four shots of game five of the Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City, but recovered with five consecutive points to help the Thunder overturn an early eight-point deficit.
The hosts took an 11-point lead into half-time before scoring the first nine points of the third quarter to pull away and take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Two-time MVP Gilgeous-Alexander made only seven of his 19 shots from the field but succeeded with 16 out of 17 from the free-throw line.
“If it was four or five of me out there, we would’ve been down 20 after the first quarter,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “[I] probably should never start like that again.”
Jared McCain came into the team for Cason Wallace, and after a tricky start scored 18 points after the break to finish with 20.
Alex Caruso bounced back from a scoreless night in game four with 22 points.