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Arizona product Carter Bryant throws down dunk in Spurs’ Game 6 win over Thunder

Carter Bryant was ready for the stage in Game 6 against the Thunder with the Spurs playoff lives on the line.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 28: Carter Bryant #11 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the rim as Luguen...

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 28: Carter Bryant #11 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the rim as Luguentz Dort #5 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder look on during the second quarter in Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

The Spurs were facing elimination in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and rookie Carter Bryant brought the energy for San Antonio in the first half.

The Spurs’ 14th overall pick out of Arizona played just four minutes in the first half on Thursday night, but he made his presence felt.

Bryant checked into the game with 6:17 remaining in the half. After missing his first shot attempt (3-pointer), Bryant received a pass from Stephon Castle in transition, went straight for the basket and slammed an emphatic dunk between three Thunder players to extend the Spurs’ lead to 12 points with under three minutes left in the half.

About a minute later, as Victor Wembanyama got up a 3-point attempt, Bryant crashed the board for a potential rebound and ran over Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Wembanyama’s 3 was good and counted, but Bryant’s loose-ball foul on Gilgeous-Alexander went under review for a potential upgrade. There was no further harm, as the play remained a common foul, but it certainly instilled extra energy in the Spurs and the loud home crowd.

Bryant finished the half with two points, one rebound and two personal fouls in four minutes. The Spurs rookie played three more minutes in the second half and collected three rebounds.

After leading by seven points at halftime, San Antonio blitzed Oklahoma City in the third quarter stretch its lead to 26 points to begin the fourth quarter.

Both teams rested their starters for most of the final frame with the game out of reach, and they’ll prepare for a winner-take-all Game 7 back in Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Douglas Santo ArizonaSports.com editor

Douglas Santo is a digital editor for ArizonaSports and KTAR.com. Santo spent time covering Arizona State football, basketball and other sports throughout college and graduated Arizona State University in 2025. He has written for Sun Devil Daily and… Read more

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