Thunder Notes: SGA, Bench, Turnovers, McCain, Caruso

The Spurs scored the first 15 points. Then the Thunder came roaring back in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, led by two-time Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

SGA had 26 points and 12 assists in OKC’s 123-108 victory. The Thunder lead the series, 2-1.

“We just went out there and competed,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, per Raul Dominguez of the Associated Press. “They obviously jumped on us early. First game in their building, their crowd behind them, they were excited to play. We just wanted to make sure we competed from that point on. We obviously didn’t give our best effort to start that game, but can’t do nothing about it. It’s behind us. All we can do is focus on the next possession, and we did that.”

Here’s more on the Thunder:

• Coach Mark Daigneault pointed to his team’s low turnover total, 10, as a key to their comeback. “Other than the first 15 points, our defense was really tight,” Daigneault said. “We got back, settled down into the halfcourt. Our offense had something to do with that. We ran good offense tonight, despite the fact that they were amped up and ready to go, the Spurs were. It’s a discipline series. We did that. We couldn’t be reckless against them, they are too good with the ball, too well coached, too talented. So you’ve got to be able to do it with discipline. I thought we really were disciplined tonight.”
• Despite Jalen Williams (hamstring) being sidelined, the Thunder have so much depth that their reserves outscored the Spurs’ bench, 76-23. In-season acquisition Jared McCain led the way with 24 points. “He just oozes confidence,” SGA said, per Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. “He knows exactly who he is, he knows exactly what he does, and he goes out there and does it no matter what. Whether the ball goes in or out he makes the next play, he makes the best play for himself and for the guys out there. He’s always aggressive, always in attack mode and we needed it tonight.”
• Who is the series MVP thus far? Not SGA or Victor Wembanyama, according to Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman. It’s Alex Caruso, who has not been simply a defensive dynamo but has made all-around contributions. He contributed 15 points in 24 minutes in Game 3. He is averaging 21.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks in the series and has a plus-46 during his minutes. “I think the most impressive thing is, he makes the plays that have nothing to do with physical ability,” Chet Holmgren said.