It took an additional 58 minutes of basketball, two overtime periods, and countless momentum swings before the San Antonio Spurs finally subdued the Oklahoma City Thunder, 122-115, in a grueling Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday (PH time).

This was less about style and more about survival.

The opener evolved into a war of attrition, with both teams refusing to yield through a series of late-game ties that stretched regulation and one full overtime to their limits.

San Antonio appeared in control early, turning a 27-all first quarter into a 51-44 halftime cushion. But Oklahoma City steadily chipped away, staying within striking distance at 80-73 entering the fourth before unleashing a furious closing push.

From there, every possession carried weight.

The Thunder erased the deficit and forced a 97-all tie with 1:12 left in regulation. Moments later, they knotted it again at 99 after a pair of free throws with 33.2 seconds remaining. The tension only escalated as both teams traded stops and scores, ending regulation deadlocked at 101.

Each side matched the other bucket-for-bucket in a five-minute stretch defined by fatigue and execution. When the horn sounded, the scoreboard still read even at 108 — setting the stage for a decisive second overtime.

That’s where the Spurs finally created separation.

Behind timely stops and inside dominance, San Antonio outscored Oklahoma City in the second extra period to secure the seven-point win and steal home-court advantage.

Victor Wembanyama anchored the effort, delivering a historic performance with 41 points and 24 rebounds in his Western Conference Finals debut. He provided the steady presence the Spurs needed as the game stretched deeper into exhaustion.

Dylan Harper complemented him with a breakout all-around showing — 24 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and seven steals — while Stephon Castle added 17 points and 11 assists to help stabilize the offense under pressure.

Oklahoma City leaned heavily on Alex Caruso, who poured in a playoff career-high 31 points and knocked down eight three-pointers, repeatedly swinging momentum back in the Thunder’s favor.

But in a game defined by resilience, it was San Antonio that endured longest.