Sparked by Alex Caruso, the Thunder bench steps up again in Game 5 win

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Alex Caruso sparked another big effort from the bench Tuesday night. And he's a big reason the Thunder are on the verge of returning to the NBA Finals.

Caruso scored 22 points and was 4 of 8 on 3-pointers to help Oklahoma City — down two starters — to a 127-114 victory over San Antonio in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals.

“We have good players on our bench. They’ve got good players on their bench,” Caruso said. “So, we know that’s an area of the game where you can try to find some positive plus-minus time for that group."

The bench rotation wasn't the same for the Thunder in Game 5; Jared McCain moved into the starting lineup and scored 20 points. McCain scored 24 of Oklahoma City's 76 bench points in a 123-108 win in Game 3 at San Antonio.

Instead, Oklahoma City got eight points off the bench from Kenrich Williams, who made both 3s he attempted, and seven points from Cason Wallace. The Thunder outscored the Spurs by 29 points in Wallace's 31 minutes.

“I think we’ve just gone a good job, whoever it’s been — and it’s been a lot of different people during the series, a couple of guys that have been consistently there,” said Caruso, who added six assists. That group, I think ... has just done a great job of competing through those minutes.”

After five games, the Thunder bench is outscoring San Antonio's reserves 257-127.

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Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) moves down court against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of Game 5 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) lies wounded after a fall against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of Game 5 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) reacts to play against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of Game 5 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) moves against San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) in the second half of Game 5 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) celebrates his three-point basket against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of Game 5 in the Western Conference finals NBA basketball playoffs series, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani was hit on the right hand by a pitch and left the Los Angeles Dodgers' game against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.

The two-way superstar was struck by Rockies starter Kyle Freeland in the fourth. Ohtani left after grounding out in the fifth. He was 0 for 2 with a run scored in the team's 16-5 win.

Manager Dave Roberts said the ball mostly hit the pad on Ohtani's hand before clipping his pinkie finger.

“We're in a good spot,” he said, adding that given the Dodgers' big lead he wanted Ohtani to rest ahead of his scheduled mound start in the series finale on Wednesday.

“I haven't decided yet if he's going to hit,” Roberts said. “I just want to kind of make sure how he comes in and physically how he feels because I want to make sure he feels really good on the pitching side of things.”

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Los Angeles Dodgers' Kiké Hernández, looks back at Shohei Ohtani as they score on a double by Andy Pages during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, left, is hit by a pitch as Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland, second from left, and catcher Hunter Goodman watch during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts after being hit by a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Tuesday, May 26, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)