Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals took an unexpected turn in the final minutes, with the San Antonio Spurs committing a pair of hard fouls on Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain that have fueled controversy heading into Game 6.
The Fouls
With 2:13 remaining in Game 5 and the Spurs pulling their starters while trailing by 14, the game appeared to be winding down. However, with 1:39 left, Spurs reserve center Mason Plumlee delivered an elbow to the back of McCain as he chased Alex Caruso through a screen. The league later upgraded the foul to a Flagrant 1 upon review.
"Yeah, that was crazy. I didn't expect it, obviously," McCain said in an interview with NBA TV. "We were at the free-throw line, and I was like, 'Why'd you do that, man?' And he was like, 'I got another one for you too.'"
Shortly after, with roughly 46 seconds remaining, McCain drove for a floater and was fouled again—this time by another Spurs reserve, Bismack Biyombo.
Wembanyama's Role
What heightened the drama was what preceded the fouls. As Spurs star Victor Wembanyama checked out of the game, he was caught whispering something to both Plumlee and Biyombo. It remains unclear what exactly Wembanyama said, and he did not speak to reporters after Game 5.
McCain's Impact
McCain has become a critical component for the Thunder in this series. Oklahoma City is missing its second- and third-best shot-creators in Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, but McCain scored 44 total points in Games 3 and 5 wins. He earned his first playoff start in Game 5, scoring 20 points in the 127-114 victory to help the Thunder reclaim a 3-2 series lead.
Looking Ahead
The series now shifts to San Antonio for Game 6, where the Spurs will play their first elimination game of the Wembanyama era. Slowing down McCoin will be key to San Antonio's survival, and after the physicality at the end of Game 5, all eyes will be on the Spurs' defenders for any similar actions.