Depth shines for Thunder in bounce-back Game 2 win over Spurs

It was the type of play you would expect from someone who just won the MVP award for the second consecutive season, but it was not just Gilgeous-Alexander carrying the load for the Thunder.

While Chet Holmgren was relatively quiet with 13 points (5-of-10 FG), Isaiah Hartenstein stepped up with 10 points (4-of-8 FG) and 13 rebounds in 27 minutes after only scoring two points in 12 minutes in the Game 1 loss.

Off the bench, Alex Caruso followed up his 31-point Game 1 performance with 17 points (5-of-7 FG), while Cason Wallace and Jared McCain each contributed 12 points each. Ajay Mitchell, meanwhile, poured in 10 points and banked in this huge triple to put Oklahoma City up eight with eight minutes remaining.

In total, the Thunder outscored the Spurs, 57-25, in bench points and showed how deep their roster is at a time they needed a win against a Spurs team that has had their number throughout the season.

Even with Jalen Williams exiting the game with left hamstring tightness, the Thunder had more than enough depth to overcome his absence. Keep in mind, Williams had just returned from a Grade 1 left hamstring strain on Monday and looked like he had not missed a beat with 26 points.

Williams' status going forward will be key for the Thunder, but the Spurs are also banged up with De'Aaron Fox missing his second consecutive game with a right high-ankle sprain and rookie Dylan Harper suffering a right hamstring injury in the third quarter.

Wembanyama still managed to have 21 points and 17 rebounds, but the Thunder turned him over four times and kept him from overtaking the game like he did on Monday. In fact, the Thunder forced 21 turnovers total, including nine from Stephon Castle.

It all comes back to the depth on this Thunder team, though, and their ability to respond to everything San Antonio threw at them. The Spurs are not at full strength, but it still took everything that Wembanyama had for them to take Game 1.

Some upcoming road games in San Antonio will be a challenge for the Thunder, but if they continue to get reliable bench production and the depth shines through, it is going to take everything the Spurs have and then some to knock them off the top.