The Spurs won a tough Game 7 at Oklahoma City on Saturday night to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014. The 111-103 victory sets up a matchup with the Knicks for the NBA championship, with Game 1 tipping off Wednesday night in San Antonio.
Victor Wembanyama was a unanimous choice as Most Valuable Player of the Western Conference Finals (Twitter links). He received the Earvin “Magic” Johnson trophy in a vote by nine media members.
Wembanyama played 42 minutes in Game 7, finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds and two assists, and he got plenty of help from his teammates.
De’Aaron Fox contributed 15 points, five assists and three steals and hit several big shots to stave off Thunder rallies. Julian Champagnie added 20 points with six three-pointers, Keldon Johnson sank two crucial threes in the fourth quarter and backup center Luke Kornet may have made the play of the game by blocking Isaiah Hartenstein on a breakaway (Twitter video link).
League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 35 points, with many of them coming on difficult shots over multiple defenders. Cason Wallace added 17, but OKC couldn’t find much additional scoring with Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell both sidelined by injuries. Chet Holmgren had a particularly forgettable night, finishing with four points on just two shots from the field.
“They’re young, talented, well-coached, play the right way, seems like they like each other,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of the Spurs (Twitter link from Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic). “They have the make-up. You don’t beat us without the make-up.”
The victory not only gives the Spurs a shot at their first NBA title in 12 years, it may signify the start of a long-term shift in the balance of power. With the deepest roster in the league, the Thunder looked capable of stringing together a potential dynasty after winning 68 and 64 games the past two seasons. But San Antonio took down the defending champs with a younger core built around Wembanyama (22), Stephon Castle (21) and Dylan Harper (20).
This year’s series could also be the start of an extended high-stakes rivalry between the two franchises. The Thunder have the ability to bring back virtually their entire roster next season, but they also have a stockpile of draft picks if they want to chase a veteran star. Regardless of which path they choose, Oklahoma City and San Antonio figure to enter the 2026/27 season as heavy favorites to grab the top two seeds again and return to the Western Conference finals.
Wembanyama was overcome by emotion as the final seconds ticked away, and he spent several minutes hugging teammates and friends before heading to the locker room. Speaking at the post-game press conference, he made it clear that the Spurs’ mission isn’t complete, per Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press.
“We want four more,” Wembanyama said. “We’re not done.”
All hail Wembanyama
And nba gets mad when teams tank. Teams tank for guys like Wemby. He has helped turn that franchise around so quickly. Of course others have helped(Castle, Harper, etc) but it’s Wemby team
I don’t think they mind the Spurs type of tanking where it’s just a bad team who plays all of their guys and tries to win. They did their tanking in the offseason.
It’s the blatant tanking like we saw from the Jazz and the Wizards where we see guys sitting for now reason and top players being removed at key moments. That is bad for the league.
No, they were pretty blatantly tanking in 2021 to get Wemby and also the Wizards and Nets really suck (who did the Wizards sit out?)
The only team that was egregious with tanking imo was the Jazz
Memphis blew it all up, Chicago was trying to make the play in until late in the season, the Kings really just suck too
That’s a good point. They just had a not very talented team. Sure it was somewhat on purpose, but they were also in the midst of a rebuild. That wasn’t a “sit all your good players with fake injuries “ tank job like many teams did this season. They just didn’t have many good players to begin with.
It’s the spurs way of life to tank. Let’s not forget how they left David Robinson on the bench when he was healthy so they could tank and get Tim Duncan. Tanking is just what the Spurs do
@grantt
The problem is, the rule change effects all teams dependent on draft positioning to rebuild. The “tanking” done by the front office works. You trade away your expensive vets, stockpile draft capital and you embrace the suck, going into the season knowing you’re more than likely going to be a 20-30 win team. What you hope for is to draft top 3 to 5 and that those guys show early signs of a good return. After three days you hope you’re good enough to them add on vets and contend. It’s clearly worked for OKC, Detroit, Spurs, Cavs, Houston, etc. In fact, the only team that went deep into the playoffs that DIDN’T utilize that strategy were the Knicks who Co l built their team almost completely thru trades but even that was done via a build up of draft capital of their own picks plus picks from other trades.
Indiana is the best example last season
Robinson, Duncan, Wemby. The Spurs organization has proven many times they know when to tank.
Love Wemby bit go Knicks!
What I tell you about Chet lol. 1/2 FG in a gm7.
This game 7 performance has got to go down in history as one of the worst.
What’s amazing is how so few fans and media bring it up.
There would have been dozens of headlines in my feed if Evan Mobley, Paolo Banchero or any number of players on a huge contract had played so poorly in a series like this.
OKC needs to have a long decision about Chet this offseason. He looked scared out there and didn’t want the ball. Maybe call the bucks for Giannis. SGA was gassed trying to carry the team in game 7.
I like how Anthony Edwards gets gassed in the playoffs and everyone criticizes him. But for SGA it’s totally cool and everyone else’s fault.
SGA had a great game and tried everything he could. It’s not like he had a stinker
Everything but taking a Free Throw in the 4th. I dont recall him shooting one then.
@ibladeswifx
But he had a bad series overall
Wemby has had Chet shook for years.
Can we just never talk about Chet vs Wemby again. They are not in the same universe. Chet is a below average role player – nothing more
OKC should have taken Chet out and left harkenstein in for teh 4th quarter because he was playing Wemby tough.
lmao nah Chet is awesome… it’s just that Wemby is like 50x times awesome.
If anyone player you disliked had a game as bad as Chet did in a do-or-die Game 7 you would absolutely skewer them lol.
I get it’s just one game, but two shots? Two? Knowing going into the game they needed him to step up offensively with Jdub and Mitchell out? Just zero excuse for that. Even if you fail you gotta at least try.
I’ve seen a lot of Ben Simmons comparisons and while that obviously isn’t fair, it was a pretty egregious wilt job tbh.
Chet had no issues until Wemby. He is still improving overall.
Wemby has his number though, this much is true lol
$50m a year man taking 2 shots. This was the last year the we’re going to be able to get past the Spurs.
@tuck2
You’re going overboard bro. He definitely wet the bed but he’s still a 18/9/3 guy with elite rim protecting ability. Passive behavior can be overcome. Lack of talent, not as much.
“below average role player” Saying dumb things to make a point is dumb.
Pretty mangled use of timeouts by Thunder coach.
Kornet block stopped a significant run by Thunder.
For as good as Shai played, he passed up open looks down the stretch multiple times.
Without Cason Wallace, the Thunder would’ve lost by 20 or more.
With JDub and Ajay Mitchell, the Thunder would’ve won by 20 or more. Let’s not get into hypotheticals. The Kornet block definitely was a momentum shifter.
Would they?
maybe they win but def not by a lot lol
I thought JDub not playing meant OKC would win. But Ajay being out really hurt them.
Shai was winded because of the lack of depth. With Jalen Williams out, they didn’t have another player who could create their own shot outside of maybe Alex Caruso.
It’s pretty even when they are healthy, but the Spurs had much more talent in this particular game.
@grantr
I still can understand the complete lack of use of Wiggins and Joe. Those guys, collectively, averaged 20 points per game. Why shorten the bench so much when the depth was one of their strengths?
And Caruso shot 3-14/1-6
He had more flops than field goals. And should’ve gotten called for a flagrant 1 or 2 on Castle. He did it like 4-5 times in the series on airborne shooters.
Ajay Mitchell was huge for the Thunder when healthy and he was hurt like Williams
Coaches get anxious when they are outgunned by a Superior opponent. I fairness OKC only has one superior opponent so he doesn’t have much experience
WemVP
GO SPURS GO!!!
YES…So good.
Thank God we get a break from free throw merchanting
Joel Embiid was eliminated in the 2nd round
I’ve openly said that embiid is awful with the flopping on here within the last day multiple times. Shai and okc are worse
The league protects the guards too much and the bigs not enough…
Chet + picks for Gannis seems like it might be a possibility. Or they just draft Mara 260lbs at 12 or Suigo 289lbs at 17. Both currently bigger than I-Hart and Chet.
Mara will probably go higher because of Wemby, this is like the 2000s were teams were getting bigger, heavier guys to matchup with Shaq
i was thinking the same thing. Giannis would be a fool not to want to go to OKC.
Why would any player want to move to OKC?
to win a championship
With the players they would lose in the much tougher western conference, why do you think that would happen?
You can win.
You can move around in the city like you’re a “regular” person.
Laid back city – not in the media limelight.
Fool? To want to drink poisoned ground water? Nah.
I irrationally hate Chet so I really enjoyed this one. All-NBA and 2nd in DPOY and basically was the worst player on the court in a Game 7 at home. Timid, no confidence, hiding from Wemby. Chet is allegedly the second best defender in the league and OKC has to guard Wemby with Jaylin Williams and Caruso because Chet can’t handle the assignment.
Spot on. His body language matched his game.
The historical footage of Wemby sonning Chet made me laugh so hard the first time I saw it, those two have been at it for years but Wemby always beat him.
“Wemby always beat him”
This is what happens when all of your reference comes from Tik Tok. You have no idea how their rivalry actually started.
They have a rivalry???? Why ??
Chet is not a true center. Doesn’t even play center for Thunder. IHart does. And that’s why they drafted Sorber, to play center.
1/2 FG in 33 mins inna gm 7. That’s worse than Harden lol. Trade for Giannis now.
Okc is trading for Giannis, I’ve said it before!!
If they dont, that would be kinda stupid tbh
This is just like when the Warriors got KD in 2016
You are 100% correct. Totally mirrored situation. Giannis can lean into his “villain” arc that everyone seems to be bending over backwards to make up bogus narratives about, similar to KD. OKC was always one of the teams who can outbid anyone with draft picks, even though they stated they were not going to go after KD, and are kind of being pushed into needing to make a decision to let guys walk or not, and they need to re-assess salaries, and pivot to adding a big money superstar here. Spurs can too, but why mess with success?
OKC did say they did not want Giannis, but this will change things. You are not wrong there.
@Brabo:
Except it takes the Bucks agreeing to trade him to OKC, plus OKC being willing to trade for a guy that has said he wants to stay in the east and also declined this past season.
I think OKC believes that it was all about their injuries and will run it back next season.
Facts don’t matter NBA ok
@brabo
I’ve been saying this for the last month. If they lost this series, which they did, then look for OKC to make a big move. I would also look at the possibilities of them pivoting to Irving or Booker if they can’t swing the deal for Giannis. But a deal using McCain, Hartenstein, Mitchell OR Wallace, and both their #12 and #17 picks could do it. The receiving team get one late lottery pick and a mid first round pick in a deep draft and 3 guys that could immediately start for quite a few rebuilding teams. OKC would still have Shai, JWill, Holmgren + the trade acquisition and them you figure out the rest. Giannis gives you an alpha with unquestionable heart to battle the Wembys and Jokers of the west. Irving and Booker give Shai a ball handling ISO running mate that can take some of the load off his shoulders and spread the floor. The defense could likely absorb Kyries lack of defense. They wouldn’t need Kyrie to be a #1 option which would allow Kyrie to build up his game legs and hopefully stay healthy because he doesn’t have to be a 25 per night guy. The west is proving that you can’t rest in your laurels. We all thought Denver was going to go on a run and they were one and done. We thought OKC would be a dynasty and that the whole playoffs was just a firmament to see who would lose to OKC in the finals. If SAS wins they’ll be looked at a the favs for next season unless the other teams do some heavy lifting this off-season.
I just don’t understand why people think adding 32 yo ball-dominant Giannis to ball-dominant SGA is a good idea – as if a team that won 68 and 64 wins in 2 straight seasons somehow needs fixing because they lost a home game 7 missing 2 key players.
Same with guards like Booker and rehabbing Kyrie – Wallace and Ajay are already better than either of them.
Presti is the top GM in the league, and IMO he’s not going to “make a big move” based on a WCF loss.
If you’re OKC you can’t just run it back. This Spurs core is only going to improve for the next couple of seasons. They need someone who can make Wemby uncomfortable and that list is pretty short.
Who is even on that list? Hartenstein did a good job of interfering with Wemby and boxing him out on offensive boards.
The Spurs look like a team that will be favorites to win the title for as long as Wemby remains healthy. OKC can challenge but they need to solve their Wemby problem, and Holmgren is not the solution there.
That Thunder dynasty talk ended real quick lol.
A better team won. Congratz!
Chet, IHart, Wallace, McCain, 2026 two #1 picks, plus a future #1 pick, two future 2nd rd picks.
Giannis to Thunder 🏀🏀🏀🏀
I don’t think I would give them Chet, Wallace and McCain.
Wow, that just shows how loaded the Thunder are with good players and draft picks.
They moved too quickly to give Chet that max contract IMO.
Chet is nearly a negative asset. Trade low?
Why would the Bucks want Chet?
@knick
They aren’t, and don’t have to, give up both Chet and Hartenstein. Having two bigs is an absolute must vs SAS. A trade using Hartenstien ($28 mil), McCain, Mitchell or Wallace, another body and both their 1st round picks is more than enough. Bucks get 3 starters and 2 first round picks in a deep draft to go along with their own #8 pick. That’s a HUGE haul to sell to their fans, jump starts the rebuild dramatically and i wouldn’t be surprised if ticket sales didn’t maintain as fans come out to support the kids. Three young first round talents, two emerging young players, including the Tik Tok phenom (jk) plus the continuing to develop Rollin, Porter and Green is a great foundation. Hopefully they could unload Turner too for draft capital to a desperate contender like maybe the Lakers?
They have Sorber and Giannis, best two way PF EVER. Really lol
Sorber and Topic are playing next year. Plust their draft picks. Thunder have plenty to trade. And not hurt their team. And improve their chore. Why wouldn’t you that.
Start Spreading the News ……
Bring those little kids to NY. We going to spank them like we were their adoptive parents lols. Spurs open as Favorites ???? Thats a laugh.
We own the Spurs during season. Brunson is taking them all to school. Spurs got lucky Thunder were banged up. And knicks just set a playoffs record of biggest pt differential in playoffs. 11 in a row. And Spurs are Favorites.
I guess I will get RICH. 🏀💰🏀💰🏀💰🏀💰
Reg season games don’t matter in the Finals.
The Spurs have improved significantly since the playoffs started, and a record point differential while sweeping 2 lousy east teams doesn’t prove anything.
Knicks will be doing well to win their home games vs this Spurs team.
And Knicks haven’t. Knickerbockers have Historically improved lol
I’m hoping for a good series.
How has KAT performed v. Wemby this year? Cuz that matchup, just like Chet’s catastrophe, will determine the series.
With KAT running the point that’s going to open the others drain buckets and pull Wemby out to guard him. And if Mitch able to go, he only gives up a couple inches and is much stronger than Wemby.
He’s played well against him. Most important we are 2-1 against them. Wemby had better stats though. I like to see Towns rebound 12 a gm minimum. No second shots. Offense he will have his big games. Just keep Wemby occupied on defense lol.
Kornet knows Knicks he could be a wild card. Mitch has to play well F the pinky.
The 2-1 record is completely unimportant.
Wemby was out for over a month, came back and helped win a game at OKC, and the next game played 29 minutes in the cup final the same day he learned his grandmother had died.
Spurs are much improved, just like the Knicks are.
First off both NBA Finals teams should be improved. They are pushed by best of conference in playoffs. So both should be looking good. Difference this year. Knicks are HISTORICALLY better. You can make up all the reasons you want for that. It still doesn’t make it false. Both these teams know each-other from that 2-1 series. Of course it helps to have that. All this dismissive talk is lunacy. Knicks know who Champagnie is now. He will not hurt us. Castle will be handled by Bridges. Fox has to have big games now. Spurs players outworked Thunder. Rebounding loose balls and team D. That won’t happen against Knicks. This Knicks team is playing their best right now. Something I have never seen till now. So if Spurs D doesn’t make an impact. They are losing. And if they lose gm 1. This could be over QUICK.
Knicks will be rusty in game 1 after 8 days off.
Just like they were for Sixers.
Did you mean the Cavs?
The Knicks were only off for 3 days before game 1 vs the 76ers.
No
It’s funny how often I have to prove you wrong.
The Knicks last game vs the hawks was 4/30. The 1st game vs the Sixers was 5/4.
link to basketball-reference.com
Proved my spelling wrong or that I have fat fingers.
Only thing you have ever proven. Is how talented I am.
You can make up all you want in your head. They all come for the mountain top. You have the need.
What does sitting and waiting have to do with winning. Thats for media fodder. For fans like you.
I don’t need someone to tell me or explain the game to me. After Knicks beat Hawks. They said Knicks would be rusty. You need the 8 days for Cavs. Use what you want. I live in reality. And deal and respond to facts. Not wannabbes with agendas. You keep trying one day you will actually make a basketball point.
Your NPD is showing.
AGAIN
Your lack of it. Why don’t you tell us how physical Spurs are. You are a guy who thinks he can make a point about IHart. Yet are rooting for Spurs to win. Then gets smacked by IHart. By the very reasons I told you ahead of game. How is it you can argue for a guy. Who is trying to beat the team you want to win. Then be totally wrong about it. Then you want to talk physicality. When you didn’t even want Thunder most physical guy to play. Then you talked up Chet. All this just to show ne How wrong you prayed I could be. Lmao.
Chet falls flat on his face. And IHart is the only guy they have that can try and defend Wemby. How does it feel to SO wrong. While arguing for the team you want to beat. Sounds to me like you got issues. Now you are here making a point about resting too long ?? Why cause you still licking your wounds lol. Eell why don’t you tell us what the rest did. And what a physical team really looks like. Wemby do us like he did Thunder lol ??
You’re like the other clown Cam. Hating on Fox for being hurt. Yet rooting for Spurs to win. Like they beat Thunder without him or even get here without him. You clowns are more interested in my spelling than anything on the court. Gm 2 spanking coming.
1. Just fyi, I picked the Knicks before game 1.
2. I’ve never “talked up Chet”.
3. Spurs will win a close game 2 tonight, but the Knicks won’t lose at home.
So no follow up bragging about “how talented you are” today?
Being a tough minded team. Having that toughness as a group. Is all part of being a physical team. Something you obviously can’t see. Don’t know anything about. Cause Knicks when they play well are that. And these playoffs have been that every series. And Brunson alone is tougher than whole Sours team …..
You talked up Chet to guard Wemby. You talked up Thunder as a physical team. You talked up IHart should be on bench. This is who you are talk then walk it all back. Something I never do.
It’s sports you can’t be right all time. But you always believe in who you are as a team. And the things that got you to this point. Everybody saw tge tougher more physical team gm 1. Towns, Mitch, Knicks D is a much bigger challenge for Wemby. Spurs need Fox in a big way. Someone to manage tge game and offense. Spurs showed tgeir youth gm1. Unfortunately he doesn’t seem 100% healthy.
Yeah ok —— Spurs better win next gm lol.
12 in a row and going for 13.
I tend to be a West Coast fan and I do like the French improving to be competitive with the US, but high school player in NY when the Knicks won can’t be beat for emotions. Win it for Clyde. :)
Not to brag, but I did mention on here awhile back that the Spurs would win it in 7 games..Damn, kind’ve wished that I bet some money on this series..😮💨😭
Chet is weak
Chet the (Spirit) Jet!
Congratulations NY Knicks…
2026 NBA Champions! 🏆
Vegas disagrees, Spurs favored at -205 to -220, depending on the sportsbook.
It will be a huge relief for the Spurs to play a much less physical (dirty) opponent.
It should be a fun Finals!
Did Vegas “say” the Spurs would beat OKC?
OKC were heavy favorites, but injuries matter.
Knicks are more physical than Thunder. East coast ball is physical style. As long as we keep Wemby human. We will be ok.
“Knicks are more physical than Thunder”
Lol, that’s pure BS. Chet avgd 22 ppg vs that Knicks defense, and Wemby 28 in the reg season.
“Chet avgd 22 ppg vs that Knicks defense,”
It was only two games, and Mitch did not play in one of them. Chet had 16 points in the game Mitch played.
Chet is a toothpick that is home watching. You bring him up lmao. Wenby played well against Knicks.
Knicks taught IHart physical style. Thibs made him.
Thunder aren’t Physical. Bunch of floppers and holders. Spurs are a bunch of kids We taking to day care lol. NYK2026.
Dec 31 2025 – Sours 134–132 over Knicks in OT
March 1 2026 – Knicks 114–89 over Spurs
Dec 16 2025 NBA Cup – Knicks 124-113 over Spurs
We Own the Spurs. So until they actually beat us. Don’t need OT to do it. We OWN them. ……,
Knicks are a better team today. Those baby Spurs are about to get parenting ………..
Old School way big SPANKING
At nba is ok. Not to mention a massive step up in class. Spurs aren’t Atlanta, Philly or Cleveland.
Robinson needs to fit and be on the court.
Towns all on his lonesome doesn’t sound great against Wemby.
Can’t wait for these Finals. Games are going to be good. Let’s go Knicks!!
East Coast ball is more physical. West Coast ball is faster. Turnovers could be deciding factor.