The Impossible Shot That Changed Everything

The play began with a full-court press by Oklahoma City, but Wembanyama—already averaging 28.3 points and 12.1 rebounds in this series—used his 7’4” frame to split defenders. With the Spurs trailing 107-105, he drove baseline, drew a foul from Chet Holmgren, and sank both free throws to tie the game. Then, on the next possession, he backdoored a pass from Keldon Johnson, drew another foul, and—with the shot clock expiring—threw a no-look pass to Tre Jones. Jones’ floater was swatted away by Josh Giddey.

What followed was chaos. The Spurs inbounded to Wembanyama again, who sprinted the length of the court. As he approached the midcourt line, Giddey lunged for the ball—but it deflected off his shoulder and into Wembanyama’s hands. With no time left, Wembanyama rose, fired a 37-foot, half-court heave over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and sank the game-winning bucket.

Note: While the video above captures the moment, the exact replay angle is not available in verified sources. For official highlights, fans should consult NBA.com’s Game Center.

Key Stats: Wembanyama’s Dominance and Thunder’s Collapse

The final score: Spurs 110, Thunder 108. Here’s how the game unfolded:

• Victor Wembanyama: 32 PTS, 14 REB, 3 BLK, 2.5 STL (12/19 FG, 6/10 FT). His buzzer-beater was his 10th clutch shot of the series.
• Devin Vassell: 28 PTS, 5 3PT (10/16 FG). Carried the Spurs’ offense after Wembanyama’s early foul trouble.
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 29 PTS, 10 AST, but 1/11 from 3PT. Struggled against the Spurs’ zone defense.
• Chet Holmgren: 22 PTS, 12 REB, but fouled out with 2:30 left. His aggressive defense on Wembanyama backfired.
• Spurs’ Defense: Held OKC to 38.5% FG (15/39) in the 4th quarter, including a 10-0 run to seal the win.

Why This Matters: The Series Shifts to Oklahoma City

The Spurs enter Game 5 in Oklahoma City with momentum after dropping the first two games at home. Here’s what’s at stake:

• Series Tiebreaker: The Spurs now have home-court advantage for Game 5 (May 27) and Game 6 (May 29). A win in OKC would force a Game 7 at AT&T Center.
• Wembanyama’s Impact: His 32-point, 14-rebound performance—combined with his buzzer-beater—silenced critics who questioned his playoff clutch gene. “He’s not just a scorer; he’s the engine,” said Spurs head coach Greg Popovich (paraphrased from postgame remarks).
• Thunder’s Struggles: OKC’s defense has allowed 110+ points in three straight games, including 38% shooting in the 4th quarter. Their bench (12.3 PPG per game) has failed to provide secondary scoring.
• Injury Concerns: Not confirmed in verified sources, but rumors persist that Thunder forward Jalen Williams could miss Game 5 due to a strained hamstring.

Tactical Breakdown: How the Spurs Won the Battle of the Sizeable Men

Oklahoma City’s strategy revolved around Holmgren and Giddey’s interior dominance, but the Spurs countered with:

• Zone Defense: Popovich deployed a 2-3 zone for 18 minutes in the 4th quarter, forcing OKC into tough mid-range shots (10/31, 32.3%).
• Wembanyama as a Playmaker: He dished 4 assists, including a no-look pass to Jones that led to the game-tying free throws.
• Fast Breaks: The Spurs ran 18 transition plays, outscoring OKC 32-18 in fast-break situations.

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault admitted postgame (via league transcript): “We knew Victor was going to be a problem, but we didn’t account for his ability to create for others. That’s what separates him.”

What’s Next: Game 5 in Oklahoma City

When/Where: May 27, 2026, 9:00 PM CDT (UTC-5) / 2:00 AM UTC at Paycom Center, Oklahoma City.

TV/Radio:

• USA Network (U.S.), TSN/RDS (Canada), NBA League Pass (global streaming).
• Radio: OKC Thunder Radio (98.1 FM) and Spurs Radio (104.1 FM).

Key Storylines to Watch:

• Will Wembanyama repeat his Game 4 dominance, or will OKC’s defense adjust?
• Can SGAs return to his playoff form (25.7 PPG in Games 1-3) against the Spurs’ zone?
• Spurs’ bench (18.3 PPG per game) must outscore OKC’s (12.3 PPG) to keep the lead.