Nielsen's Spurs dismantle OKC to level WCF series

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San Antonio Spurs assistant coach and Australian Boomers legend Matthew Nielsen could be the only Aussie left in the NBA Playoffs later this week after his team dominated the Oklahoma City Thunder in game four of the Western Conference Finals to level the series at 2-2.

The win from Nielsen's Spurs comes a day after fellow Aussie Tyrese Proctor and the Cleveland Cavaliers went down 3-0 against the New York Knicks in the Estern Conference Finals, with no team in NBA history having been able to come from such a series deficit.

San Antonio now go back to Oklahoma City Thunder, where they won game one, with a chance to take a 3-2 series lead and take one step further towards the NBA Finals.

MATCH REPORT

The San Antonio Spurs dismantled the Oklahoma City Thunder 103-82 in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, squaring the series at 2-2 behind a masterful performance from Victor Wembanyama. The French phenom poured in 33 points on 11-22 shooting, including 3-from-7 from deep and 8-of-9 at the charity stripe, to power San Antonio's most complete performance of the series.

Game Snapshot

• Quarter scores: OKC 19-19-22-22 │ SA 28-22-28-25
• Final margin: Spurs by 21
• Spurs shooting: 39% FG │ 27% 3PT │ 75% FT
• Thunder shooting: 33% FG │ 18% 3PT │ 89% FT

Wembanyama sets the tone early

San Antonio jumped on the Thunder from the opening tip, racing out to a 28-19 first-quarter lead as Wembanyama imposed himself on both ends. The number one overall pick paired his scoring with eight rebounds, five assists and three swats, finishing a plus-29 in just 31 minutes of dominant two-way basketball.

Stephon Castle was equally influential in the opening half, hitting from outside and orchestrating the offense to keep Oklahoma City off balance. The young guard finished with 13 points, six assists and a steal on 5-from-11 shooting.

Thunder offense stalls

Oklahoma City never found a rhythm offensively, shooting a dismal 33% from the field and an underwhelming 18% from beyond the arc on 6-from-33 attempts. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the visitors with 19 points and seven assists on 6-from-15 shooting, but the MVP candidate was a team-worst minus-18 as San Antonio's length disrupted his usual driving lanes.

Chet Holmgren added 10 points and nine boards, while Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in 12 and seven, but the Thunder's perimeter shooters went ice cold. Luguentz Dort (11 points) was the only Oklahoma City reserve or starter to crack double figures off the bench, and the team's collective 6-from-33 mark from downtown effectively decided the contest.

Third-quarter swing proves decisive

After holding a 50-38 lead at the main break, the Spurs delivered the knockout punch in the third quarter, outscoring Oklahoma City 28-22 to push the lead to 18 entering the final frame. Devin Vassell was instrumental in extending the cushion, finishing with 13 points, six rebounds and three dimes on 3-from-7 shooting while going a plus-27.

De'Aaron Fox also flirted with a double-double, posting 12 points, 10 boards and five assists. The starting unit's chemistry was on full display, with all five San Antonio starters logging a positive plus-minus.

Bench provides the finishing blow

Dylan Harper offered a spark off the bench with seven points, five rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes, while Luke Kornet brought energy in the paint with six points, seven boards and two blocks. Harrison Barnes added five points and was a steady veteran presence as the Spurs cruised through the final period.

San Antonio out-rebounded Oklahoma City 52-47 and held a 25-22 edge in assists, controlling the game's tempo throughout. The Thunder's 33% field-goal mark and 18% clip from downtown made the climb impossible despite a respectable 89% night from the foul line.

By the Numbers

• Victor Wembanyama (SA): 33 pts │ 8 reb │ 5 ast │ 3 blk │ 11-22 FG │ 8-9 FT
• Stephon Castle (SA): 13 pts │ 6 ast │ 3 reb │ 1 stl │ 1 blk
• Devin Vassell (SA): 13 pts │ 6 reb │ 3 ast │ 1 stl │ 1 blk
• De'Aaron Fox (SA): 12 pts │ 10 reb │ 5 ast │ 1 stl
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): 19 pts │ 7 ast │ 4 reb │ 2 stl
• Isaiah Hartenstein (OKC): 12 pts │ 7 reb │ 3 ast
• Luguentz Dort (OKC): 11 pts │ 5 reb │ 2 ast
• Chet Holmgren (OKC): 10 pts │ 9 reb │ 2 ast │ 1 stl

Next Up

The series shifts back for Game 5 with the Western Conference Finals locked at 2-2.