Victor Wembanyama admitted he has struggled to elevate his San Antonio Spurs team-mates in the Western Conference finals, after they went 2-1 down to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

San Antonio are two defeats away from elimination following a 123-108 loss in Game 3 on Friday, at Frost Bank Center.

The reigning NBA champions got 76 points from the bench in their road win, while the Spurs' reserves could only muster 23. 

The Thunder's victory made them the first team in the last 20 years, in either a regular-season or postseason contest, to allow the first 15 points of a game and still win, following a fast start from San Antonio.

Wembanyama was held to 26 points, four rebounds and three assists while going 8-of-15 from the field, and after the game, he accepted responsibility for the loss. 

"I feel like I'm having trouble making my team-mates better right now," Wembanyama said. 

"My shooting splits aren't terrible, but I need to be more of a team player, facilitate better, rebound the ball better, push their defense a little bit further and see how much I'm needed to help my team-mates and [then] feed them."

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also had 26 points, but he was one of six Thunder players in double figures, prompting Jaylin Williams to hail their strength in depth.

"You just have a bunch of guys that are willing to do whatever the team needs," he said. "Unluckily, we've dealt with a lot of injuries throughout the year, but it's built us. 

"It's built us as a team. It's built us as players to be ready for the moment and be ready when your name is called."

The @okcthunder are the only NBA team in the last 20 years to allow the first 15 or more points of the game but end up winning by 15 or more (reg or post). pic.twitter.com/sPcFuJYRyH

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) May 23, 2026

Jared McCain was second to Gilgeous-Alexander for points among Oklahoma City players, mustering 24 in a mere 27 minutes to earn lofty praise from the MVP.

"He just oozes confidence," Gilgeous-Alexander said of McCain. "He knows exactly who he is. He knows exactly what he does, and he goes out there and does it no matter what. 

"When the ball goes in or out, he makes the next play, makes the best play for himself and for the guys out there. He's always aggressive, poised and attacks the moment."

Game 4 also takes place in San Antonio on Sunday. If the Thunder are victorious, they will have a chance to book their NBA Finals place on Tuesday.