Spurs destroy Thunder in second-round play-off opener

The San Antonio Spurs showed no mercy against the Oklahoma City Thunder, easing to a 124-92 victory in game one of the NBA Western Conference semi-final.

Coming off a series sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies in their first-round play-off, the Spurs – seeded second in the west – continued where they left off against the Thunder with a 43-point opening quarter on Saturday.

After storming out of the blocks, the Spurs led 73-40 at half-time and never looked back as they dismantled the Thunder in San Antonio.

The Spurs – who defeated the Thunder in the 2013-14 Western Conference Finals having lost to Oklahoma City at the same stage in 2011-12 – were led by LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard.

Aldridge posted 38 points in a game-high performance, while Spurs team-mate and Defensive Player of the Year Leonard had 25 points.

Oklahoma City’s star duo Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were limited to 16 and 14 points respectively, as Serge Ibaka put up 19 points on the road.

Game two is San Antonio on Monday.