Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Alex Caruso Confident in Team’s Game 7 Readiness Against Spurs OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso expressed confidence in his team’s ability to handle the high-stakes challenge of Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. Despite facing the absence of key players Jalen Williams and guard Ajay Mitchell, Caruso emphasized the resilience and determination of his teammates, drawing on the Thunder’s experience in critical playoff moments. The defending champions, who previously won two Game 7s—including their 2023 NBA Finals victory—will host the Spurs in a decisive matchup on Saturday. Caruso highlighted the collective mindset of the Thunder’s roster, noting that each player is prepared to prioritize team success over individual accolades. “It puts you at ease knowing that you’re going to get the best from each guy,” he said. “They’re going to go out there and put their best foot forward and do what they need to do to sacrifice for the team to try to win the game, which is all you can do. All you can ask for is to go out there and play your best. Let the results fall where they may.” He added that the locker room’s intensity and unity make him confident the team is “ready to go to war for each other.” While the Thunder’s experience in Game 7 scenarios is a strength, Caruso acknowledged the inherent pressure of such moments. “You don’t want to be comfortable in a Game 7,” he cautioned. “If you’re comfortable, you’re probably not edgy enough. You probably don’t have a high enough sense of urgency.” This mindset reflects the Spurs’ reputation as a formidable opponent, a team that finished the regular season with the NBA’s second-best record.#san_antonio_spurs #oklahoma_city_thunder #jalen_williams #ajay_mitchell #alex_caruso
Thunder’s Jalen Williams to Miss Game 7 vs. Spurs with Hamstring Injury The Oklahoma City Thunder will be without forward Jalen Williams in Saturday’s Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs, as he has been ruled out with a left hamstring injury that has limited him throughout the playoffs. Williams, an all-NBA performer last season, missed the final two games of the Thunder’s first-round series sweep of the Phoenix Suns and the entire second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers with the same injury. He returned for Game 1 of the Spurs series but reinjured his hamstring early in Game 2. After missing Games 3-5, Williams suited up in Game 6 but played only 10 minutes. Williams attempted to play in Game 6 despite not being fully recovered, spending much of his time on the court receiving treatment and stretching. He left the game without speaking to reporters. Thunder coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged Williams’ determination to return but emphasized that the player was not 100% healthy. “He’s been hellbent on trying to get himself to this point. I give him credit. He’s a big team guy, big competitor,” Daigneault said. “He’s obviously not 100 percent. He didn’t know what to expect; I didn’t know what to expect. So it was a matter of getting him out there in an insulated role and see what he could bring to the team. … He hasn’t done a full return to play the way that he would.” Daigneault noted that Williams did not suffer any setbacks during Game 6 but admitted the Thunder did not follow the standard return-to-play protocol before his Game 6 appearance. The coach explained that all stakeholders, including medical staff and team officials, met before and after the game to assess Williams’ condition.#san_antonio_spurs #oklahoma_city_thunder #jalen_williams #mark_daigneault #ajay_mitchell
Oklahoma City Thunder Defeat Los Angeles Lakers in Western Conference Semifinals Opener The Oklahoma City Thunder secured a decisive 108-90 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series on Tuesday, May 6, 2026. The win gave the Thunder a 1-0 series lead, with Game 2 set for Thursday in Oklahoma City. The result underscored the Thunder’s dominance over the Lakers, who struggled to generate consistent offense without their injured star player, Luka Doncic, who missed the game with a left hamstring injury. Chet Holmgren led the Thunder with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell each contributed 18 points. The Thunder’s balanced scoring attack, combined with their sharp shooting—hitting 49.4% of their field goals and making 13 of 30 three-pointers—proved too much for the Lakers, who shot just 41.7% from the field. Oklahoma City’s defense also forced 17 turnovers, further complicating the Lakers’ offensive efforts. The Lakers, missing injured All-Star Jalen Williams for the third consecutive game, faced significant challenges. LeBron James carried the team with 27 points, but his efforts were overshadowed by the team’s overall struggles. Rui Hachimura added 18 points, while Austin Reaves, who averaged 23.3 points in the regular season, was held to just eight points on 3-for-16 shooting. The Lakers’ inability to generate consistent scoring was evident early, as they fell behind by double digits in the second half. The game’s first quarter saw the Lakers take an early 7-0 lead, fueled by LeBron’s five points. However, the Thunder quickly adjusted, outscoring the Lakers 11-5 in the first quarter to take a 31-26 lead.#los_angeles_lakers #oklahoma_city_thunder #shai_gilgeousalexander #chet_holmgren #ajay_mitchell
