Image via the NBA
The San Antonio Spurs are heading to the NBA Finals.
In a winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday night, the Spurs stunned the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, earning a hard-fought victory that completed an improbable series comeback and secured the Western Conference crown.
The Spurs seized control of the game early on and led for 92% of the contest. The Thunder made a series of mini runs, and the Spurs, for most of the evening, was able to stave off the defending champs, save them taking brief leads at 51-49, and 61-60, building as much as a four point advantage.
The Spurs built as much as an 11-point lead in the third quarter, however the Thunder showed the heart of a champion, cutting the lead to 80-77 heading into the fourth quarter.
San Antonio pushed a head once more in the game’s final frame but the Thunder was unable to answer the bell to mount one last charge.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points and nine helpers. Carson Wallace added 17, while Alex Caruso and Jared McCain chipped in with 12 points apiece. Chet Holmgren struggled, scoring just 4 points and being a non-factor in his 33 minutes of action other than being a whipping boy for Wembanyama.
“You have to grow from every experience, including the tough ones,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said in postgame comments. “And it’s the NBA — there are tough ones. We can also be really disappointed. … There’s nobody that we don’t think we can beat, respectfully.”
All five San Antonio starters scored in double figures, led by 22 from Victor Wembanyama. Julian Champagnie added 20, connecting on 6-10 from downtown, Stephon Castle scored 16 points to go along with 6 assists; De’Aaron Fox turned in a solid performance with 15 points on 6-12 from the floor and Devin Vassell contributed 11 points.
Sixth Man of the Year Kelden Johnson scored 11 points and Dylan Harper chipped in with 12 points and 7 rebounds.
“This feeling, I can’t explain it,” Wembanyama said, who was overcome with emotion after the win, It’s so powerful.”
Facing elimination just days ago after falling behind 3-2 in the series, San Antonio responded with consecutive wins to eliminate one of the league’s most talented and battle-tested teams. The victory marks the franchise’s first trip to the NBA Finals of the Victor Wembanyama era and signals the arrival of a new championship contender in the Western Conference.
Spurs Answer the Call When It Mattered Most
Championship runs are often defined by adversity, and the Spurs faced plenty of it during this series.
After Oklahoma City seized a 3-2 series lead following Game 5, many believed the defending champions were poised to close the door on San Antonio’s season. Instead, the Spurs delivered one of their most impressive stretches of basketball all year, winning Game 6 to force a deciding contest before completing the job in hostile territory.
Throughout the series, San Antonio showcased the resilience, defensive intensity, and poise that have become trademarks of the franchise. In Game 7, those qualities were once again on display as the Spurs weathered Oklahoma City’s runs and made the necessary plays in the game’s biggest moments.
Thunder’s Title Defense Comes to an End
For Oklahoma City, the loss represents a disappointing conclusion to a season that began with championship aspirations.
The Thunder entered the postseason as the defending NBA champions and were viewed by many as favorites to return to the Finals. Their combination of elite talent, playoff experience, and continuity made them one of the league’s most formidable teams.
However, San Antonio’s relentless effort and timely execution ultimately proved too much to overcome.
Despite falling short of a repeat championship bid, Oklahoma City remains one of the NBA’s premier organizations and figures to remain firmly in the championship conversation for years to come.
NBA Finals Matchup Set
With the victory, the Spurs now advance to face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.
The matchup will feature one of the league’s most historic franchises in New York against one of its fastest-rising powers in San Antonio. It also guarantees the NBA will crown a new champion this season.
For the Spurs, the opportunity is massive. A championship would not only validate the organization’s rebuilding process but could also mark the beginning of a new era of sustained success.
Four wins now separate San Antonio from another NBA title.
And after knocking off the defending champions, the Spurs have shown they are more than capable of finishing the job.
