KSAT’s Ernie Zuniga reported from The Rock at La Cantera as Spurs fans gathered before Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. The best-of-seven series is knotted 1-1 after the Thunder beat the Spurs 122-113 in Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Fans, players and the city are all bracing for a pivotal home game that could tilt momentum one way or another.

The Rock at La Cantera felt electric, with local supporters turning out in droves to rally behind the Spurs. Conversations ranged from X-rays of the matchup to bold hopes for a trip back to the NBA Finals, and you could hear the same refrain everywhere: this team still belongs on the big stage. That energy carried through every chant, every jersey and every high-five in the crowd.

San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center will host Game 3 and the Spurs know how big home-court advantage can be. The building has seen its share of playoff nights and the city has shown it will be loud, proud and patient when the moments get tense. Coaches and players often say the fans are like a seventh man, and here that feels more like a mandate than a platitude.

After the Thunder’s 122-113 win in Oklahoma City, adjustments matter more than ever. Matchups on both ends of the floor will be under the microscope, from who guards the hot shooter to who crashes the glass after a miss. The Spurs will need sharper rotations and cleaner execution to blunt OKC’s scoring bursts and transition game.

On the flip side, the Thunder’s confidence is obvious; they showed they can put up points in a hurry and pressure the Spurs into mistakes. The series is a chess match of pace and personnel, and both teams have stars who can take over stretches. Expect coaches to juggle lineups and try to exploit matchups, especially in the fourth quarter.

Beyond Game 3 itself, there’s a bigger prize on the horizon. The winner of the Spurs-Thunder series will face either the New York Knicks or the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2026 NBA Finals. That possibility is a reminder that every possession matters now, and a single swing game could change the course of a season that so many San Antonio fans still believe can end in a parade.

Local coverage has been heavy as the city leans in, and KSAT has been tracking the lead-up and the viewing opportunities around town. For fans who couldn’t snag tickets, the community pulled together watch options and viewing parties popped up across the area. If you were downtown or near La Cantera, there were plenty of options to find a screen, some cold drinks and a charged crowd.

More Race For Seis coverage on KSAT:

• Where to watch Spurs game tonight in San Antonio for free
• SCHEDULE: NBA sets TV broadcasts, tipoff times for Spurs-Thunder Western Conference Finals
• NBA Western Conference Finals: Spurs, Thunder clash for trip to NBA Finals