Spurs’ Julian Champagnie says quiet part out loud after Game 5 vs. Thunder

The San Antonio Spurs find themselves with their backs against the wall after dropping Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night. After a terrible shooting night in Game 4, the defending champs responded with a hot streak at home to get a 127-114 win and take a 3-2 series lead.

The Thunder’s shotmaking played a big part in the win, but Oklahoma City also seemed to be the fresher team. Mark Daigneault’s club was the first to a number of loose balls and offensive rebounds, and that helped swing the game in their favor.

After the game, Spurs wing Julian Champagnie didn’t hold back on that aspect of the loss.

Spurs forward Julian Champagnie, on a Game 5 loss to the Thunder: “I thought they wanted the game more than we did. We were a step late to a lot of stuff tonight.” pic.twitter.com/DmG7T3B5iL

— Spurs Nation (@Spurs_Nation) May 27, 2026

“I thought they wanted the game more than we did,” Champagnie said. “We were a step late to a lot of stuff tonight.”

The Spurs, specifically star big man Victor Wembanyama, looked a bit fatigued in Game 5. That would be understandable for a Spurs team that is in its first deep playoff run together and is undoubtedly feeling it in the legs a bit.

Despite those circumstances, Champagnie isn’t using the fatigue of this season and this playoff run as an excuse.

“Everybody’s tired. I bet all the guys on the other team are tired as well. I don’t think there’s no excuse for that,” he continued. “I think coaches are doing a good job of putting us in positions to succeed. I think we have to take care of the basketball. I think that we have to fight the urge to give in to what our mind is telling us and play with our bodies. I don’t think there’s much of an excuse for it, we just have to be better.”

There’s now no more margin for error for the Spurs, who are now heading back home for Game 6 with their backs against the wall. If San Antonio wants to keep its title hopes alive, it is going to have to find a second wind to match the physicality and effort of the Thunder in Games 6 and 7.

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