NBA Playoffs: Thunder beat Spurs

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder were able to get off the mat the moment Serge Ibaka was able to get into uniform.

Ibaka shot 6-for-7 from the field and finished with 15 points and seven rebounds in 29 ½ minutes as the Thunder beat San Antonio 106-97 to pull within two games to one in the NBA's Western Conference finals. The forward started the game after missing the first two of the series with a left calf strain. The Thunder originally had said he likely would miss the rest of the playoffs, but changed course Friday.

Ibaka pointed to the sky as he left the game to cheers with 3:17 remaining and the Thunder ahead by 20 points. He helped the Thunder outrebound the Spurs 52-36 after losing the battle of the boards in the first two games.

Russell Westbrook had 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Kevin Durant added 25 points and 10 rebounds. Reggie Jackson finished with 15 points after starting in place of Thabo Sefolosha.

Manu Ginobili scored 23 points for the Spurs, who will take on the Thunder again Tuesday at Oklahoma City.