The San Antonio Spurs outplayed defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals on May 30 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Wemby stars as Spurs make first NBA Finals in 12 years
Seven-foot-four Victor Wembanyama registered 22 points and seven rebounds to come back from 3-2 down in the series and secure the Western Conference Finals title that automatically makes them the conference representative for the Finals against East champions New York Knicks.
The 22-year-old French center averaged 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.7 blocks in 37.7 minutes across the seven-game series to earn the Earvin “Magic” Johnson Trophy awarded for the best performer of the West Finals.
Wembanyama did not do it alone for the Spurs as Julian Champagnie contributed 20 points, including six 3-pointers and Stephon Castle added 16 points for the Mitch Johnson-coached team, who led almost the entire way of the winner-take-all clash.
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Spurs start strong and hold off Thunder second-half assault
The Spurs raced to a 14-point lead in the first half, but the defending champion finally got it going in the latter part of the first quarter and took a 53-49 edge in the second period.
San Antonio scored seven straight points in the closing part of the quarter to retake the lead.
The Spurs controlled the entire second half, defending well on every attempt by the Thunder to come back and restore the advantage. Crucial baskets from San Antonio in the fourth period quelled Oklahoma City’s late rally to ensure a new champion in the 2025-26 season.
Reigning back-to-back Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points for the Thunder who wasted a 3-2 lead and homecourt advantage in Game 7, eventually losing their bid for a second-straight title.
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Spurs secure Finals clash with Knicks in 1999 rematch
San Antonio’s 4-3 win over the Thunder paved the way for their first Western Conference title in 12 years and seventh overall.
It also handed them the opportunity to capture their sixth NBA title, as they hosted the New York Knicks on June 3 in a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals where the Spurs, led by Tim Duncan, won in five games and handed them their first-ever title.
Wembanyama hopes to follow Spurs greats Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard in helping the franchise to winning five NBA titles.
He has four wins remaining to claim his childhood dream.
After the game, Wembanyama praised his teammates for helping him convert the big plays and stepping up in crucial moments of the game, especially in clamping down Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Thunder.
The Knicks, who won the East Finals by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games, will be led by Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby and will become the major roadblock to Spurs’ bid for their sixth title.
New York, at the same time, will attempt to win their third title and first in 53 years.
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