Oklahoma City
Steven Adams had 15 points and 11 rebounds, and Andre Roberson added 14 points for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City lost 124-92 in Game 1, but first-year coach Billy Donovan led the Thunder to victory in four of the next five. Oklahoma City will face defending NBA champion Golden State in the Western Conference finals, starting Monday in Oakland.
And the Spurs could head into an uncertain future after a franchise-record, 67-win season, with 40-year-old Tim Duncan struggling for much of the series before scoring 19 points as San Antonio tried to fight back in the fourth quarter.
Kawhi Leonard scored 22 points and LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 for the Spurs.
San Antonio lost just once at home during the regular season, but the Thunder beat the Spurs twice in San Antonio during the series.
Oklahoma City opened up a 47-29 lead late in the second quarter after a 3-pointer by Westbrook that brought a roar from the crowd. Durant’s 3-pointer with 2.3 seconds left in the half pushed the lead to 55-31 at the break. Durant scored 18 points in the first half and Westbrook added 13.
The Thunder looked like the Spurs often do in the first half, running an efficient offense and shooting 46.5 percent from the field while committing just three turnovers before the break.
It was a season-low point total for the Spurs in a first half. San Antonio shot 31.1 percent from the field before the break and missed all nine of its 3-pointers.
Oklahoma City kept the pressure on and led 91-65 at the end of the third quarter.
The veteran Spurs had one last surge left and got as close as 11, but a 3-pointer by Westbrook, then a driving layup by Westbrook, killed San Antonio’s momentum for good.
Orlando, Fla.
The Magic were busy Thursday trying to play spin control while also trying to make sense of the seemingly sudden decision by Skiles.
He left after a sometimes turbulent season that ended on a positive note. The Magic improved by 10 wins under Skiles, finishing 35-47 but again missing the playoffs.
Skiles, a 14-year veteran coach and former Magic player, was not available for comment Thursday, but did issue a statement earlier in the day.
“After much thought and careful consideration, I and I alone, have come to the conclusion that I am not the right head coach for this team,” Skiles said. “Therefore, effective immediately, I resign my position as head coach of the Orlando Magic. I realize this type of decision can cause much speculation. The reality though is in the first sentence. It is simple and true. Any other rumors are pure conjecture.”
Magic CEO Alex Martins dismissed the notion that Skiles’ decision was the result of clashes with Hennigan or that the coach and GM had philosophical differences when it came to personnel and the direction of the team.
Skiles was not present while most of the front office staff was in Chicago on Wednesday interviewing potential draft prospects for next month’s NBA draft.
Martins and Hennigan both said Scott resigning had nothing do with the coach’s relationship with the general manager.
Skiles, 52, was under contract with the team through 2017-18 and the team had an option for 2018-19. They only offered that a separation plan is in place, not indicating whether the team would buy out Skiles’ remaining years or if the coach is simply walking away from a deal that still has millions on the table.
His departure makes Orlando the fourth team with current coaching opening in the NBA, joining vacancies in Indiana, Memphis and Houston. It also becomes the 233rd coaching change around the league since Gregg Popovich took over as coach of the San Antonio Spurs in December 1996.