Thunder’s Bench Dominates Game 5: Caruso, Hartenstein, and McCain Step Up Without Williams and Mitchell
May 26, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard De’aaron Fox (4) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) during the first quarter in game five of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Adversity is often the truest test of roster depth. On May 27th, the Oklahoma City Thunder passed that test with flying colors. Without All-Star Jalen Williams (hamstring) and Ajay Mitchell (calf strain), OKC defeated the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, taking a commanding 3-2 series lead.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remained the engine, finishing with 32 points and 9 assists. But the real story of the night was written by the players who came off the bench — or stepped into unfamiliar starting roles — and refused to let the Thunder’s injury situation become a crisis.
Caruso and Hartenstein Anchor a Historic Bench Effort
Alex Caruso was the standout performer, pouring in 22 points off the bench in what can only be described as a statement game. His scoring punch, combined with Isaiah Hartenstein‘s physical dominance, gave Oklahoma City a dimension the Spurs had no answer for. Hartenstein finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds, and his work on both the glass and against Victor Wembanyama proved particularly decisive. The German center stuck out for his ability to contain Wembanyama defensively while controlling the paint at the other end.
Chet Holmgren added 16 points and 11 rebounds, reinforcing the Thunder’s frontcourt depth even without their usual rotation pieces.
Alex Caruso (Oklahoma City Thunder) - Isaiah Hartenstein (Oklahoma City Thunder)
| Alex Caruso | Isaiah Hartenstein | |
|---|---|---|
| PTS | 22 | 12 |
| REB | 2 | 15 |
| AST | 6 | 4 |
| STL | 3 | 0 |
| BLK | 0 | 1 |
McCain’s Emergence Adds Another Layer to OKC’s Depth
Perhaps the most compelling subplot was the emergence of Jared McCain. Thrust into his first career playoff start due to the absences, the young guard responded with 20 points, including 18 in the second half and two crucial 3-points in the fourth quarter. For a player who averages 8.8 points during the regular season — and who had already shown flashes with 24 points off the bench in Game 3 — this performance underscored just how much talent Oklahoma City has stockpiled.
Cason Wallace also contributed as the Thunder’s reserves collectively outscored San Antonio’s bench 20-7. That 13-point differential in bench scoring aligned almost perfectly with the final margin of victory, making it the decisive factor in the game.
The Spurs entered Game 5 at full strength, with Wembanyama leading their charge. Yet Oklahoma City’s depth neutralized whatever advantage San Antonio might have hoped to exploit from the Thunder’s injury report. That is a remarkable statement about how Sam Presti has constructed this roster.
OKC now leads the series 3-2 and will have a chance to close things out in Game 6. If this performance proved anything, it is that the Thunder are not merely a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander team — they are a system built to absorb adversity and keep winning. One win away from the NBA Finals, their bench just made the loudest possible argument for why they belong there.
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