San Antonio Spurs Topple Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 to Reach NBA Finals
In Game 7 of the conference semifinals, the Spurs defeated the Thunder 111-103. They will face the New York Knicks in the Finals, with the series tipping off on June 4.
San Antonio Spurs stun Oklahoma City in Game 7 and return to the NBA Finals after 12 years
A road victory in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, 111-103, sent the Spurs to the NBA Finals, where they will meet the New York Knicks. Victor Wembanyama, earning his first career playoff series win, was named series MVP.
Main Event
The San Antonio Spurs pulled off a stunning upset at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, toppling the defending champions on their home floor. The game began with a strong opening quarter from the visitors (32-25), then turned into a classic basketball thriller where every micro-battle decided who would advance.
From the opening tip it was clear the Spurs had no intention of backing down. Stephon Castle scored 9 points in the first period, setting an aggressive defensive tone and sparking fast breaks that gave Texas a 27-13 lead midway through the quarter. Yet the Thunder, led by their star, refused to fold. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a two-time regular-season MVP, delivered a phenomenal first half with 19 points and brought his team back. By the middle of the second quarter Oklahoma had tied the game and then took its first lead on a Jalen Williams jumper.
It looked as though championship pedigree and the roar of the home crowd would finally break the young Spurs. But this is the greatness of the post-Popovich San Antonio era: they did not flinch. A 7-0 run sent the visitors into halftime ahead 56-53.
The third quarter became a slugfest. Both teams traded baskets like boxers trading jabs. Yet it was here that San Antonio built a decisive cushion. A 16-2 run capped by a Wembanyama three-pointer stretched the lead to 11 (76-65). Oklahoma looked rattled, and Chet Holmgren, unable to find answers against the French giant, finished with just 4 points.
The fourth quarter tested the nerves of both fan bases. The Spurs pushed the margin to 11 (97-86) behind De’Aaron Fox and Wembanyama, but the Thunder mounted one last charge. Cason Wallace drilled back-to-back threes, cutting the deficit to 6 with two minutes left. The arena shook with the roar of 18,000 fans.
The climax came when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, already with 35 points, stepped into a potential game-tying three. On this night the shot would not fall. In transition Stephon Castle finished through contact to make it 109-101 with a minute to play. Free throws sealed the 111-103 final.
Details and Statistics
San Antonio’s win showcased the classic truth that championships are won by teams, not just superstars. While Oklahoma was hampered by injuries to Jalen Williams and AJ Mitchell, the Spurs displayed remarkable depth.
Seven San Antonio players scored in double figures. Jeremy Sochan added 12 points and 7 rebounds, while Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson came off the bench for 11 crucial points, including two late threes.
The biggest surprise besides Wembanyama was Julian Champagnie. The usual rotation player erupted for 6-of-10 from deep, finishing with 20 points and 6 rebounds. His timely makes came exactly when Oklahoma tried to claw back.
Stephon Castle, drafted just two years ago, turned in perhaps the best game of his young career: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and lockdown defense on Shai. Backup center Luke Kornet also delivered, blocking a fast-break layup by Isaiah Hartenstein while Wembanyama rested.
On the other side, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was brilliant (35 points, 9 assists, 3 steals) but received little help. Chet Holmgren managed only 4 points on 2 shots. For a team aiming to repeat, the disappearance of one of its Big Three proved fatal.
Context and Significance
This Western Conference Finals was billed by many as an “early Finals.” Two Western powerhouses with different paths to the top collided. San Antonio’s victory ended Oklahoma City’s bid to become the first repeat champions since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors.
For San Antonio the moment carries historic weight. The franchise returns to the Finals for the first time in 12 years. The last visit came in 2014, when Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili swept LeBron James’ Miami Heat. That Gregg Popovich era is long gone; today’s Spurs are a young, fearless group led by the most talented player on the planet.
For 22-year-old Victor Wembanyama this is his first Finals appearance, reached in just his third NBA season. Named Western Conference Finals MVP, he spoke after the game: “They have no idea how much I love them. But we’re not stopping. We need four more wins.”
For Oklahoma City the loss was crushing. Despite looking like title favorites, injuries exposed a lack of depth at the worst possible time. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remained gracious: “They’re young, talented, and well-coached. Beating us doesn’t happen by accident—they have character.”
What’s Next / Series Preview
The 2026 NBA Finals begin June 4 (Moscow time: June 5 at 3:30 a.m.) at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
The Spurs hold home-court advantage after 62 regular-season wins to the Knicks’ 53. New York arrives on an 11-game winning streak after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Finals—their first Finals trip since 1999, when they last faced San Antonio.
Schedule (Moscow time):
- Game 1: June 4 (3:30) — San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks
- Game 2: June 6 (3:30) — San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks
- Game 3: June 9 (3:30) — New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs
- Game 4: June 11 (3:30) — New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs
(Games 5-7 if necessary)
Editorial Prediction
Given how San Antonio battled through adversity against Oklahoma City, the Spurs appear mentally unbreakable. Still, New York presents a tougher challenge than the injury-ravaged Thunder.
The key will be whether the Knicks can defend Wembanyama. New York’s length and zone concepts may force San Antonio’s role players to stay hot from three. Our forecast: a six- or seven-game series. The Spurs are slight favorites (60-40), but only if their supporting cast continues to knock down threes. If the Knicks can isolate Wembanyama and make him carry the load alone, New York could pull off the decade’s biggest upset. Either way, expect a classic worthy of the NBA crown.
— Editorial Team
