2026 NBA Playoffs

Recap: Spurs hold off Thunder, advance to NBA Finals

Enjoy the best from Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, as the Spurs triumph over the Thunder to advance to the NBA Finals.

Ben Lambert, for NBA.com

Victor Wembanyama shows off the Magic Johnson Trophy as the San Antonio Spurs advance to the NBA Finals.

Victor Wembanyama (22 pts, 7 reb) led seven scorers in double figures as the San Antonio Spurs held off repeated charges by the Oklahoma City Thunder, sending the defending champions home by winning 111-103.

“They don’t even know how much I love them,” Wembanyama said of his teammates. “We want four more.”

Wemby received the Magic Johnson trophy as the Western Conference Finals MVP.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (35 pts) was valiant in defeat for Oklahoma City.

What we know after Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals:

  • The Spurs are headed to the NBA Finals to take on the New York Knicks, running back this year’s Emirates NBA Cup final.
  • Postgame Presser: Spurs-Thunder
  • The 2026 NBA Finals will begin on June 3 at 8:30 ET on ABC.

MAY 30 / 11:20 ET

One time for the San Antonio Spurs

MAY 30 / 11:09 ET

Postgame Presser: Spurs-Thunder

MAY 30 / 10:59 ET

Feel the moment

MAY 30 / 10:50 ET

The Spurs are headed to the NBA Finals

San Antonio wins 111-103, sparked by Victor Wembanyama (22 pts, 7 reb), who led seven scorers in double figures.

“We have a good team — great team, if you will,” said Julian Champagnie (17 pts, 5 3PM). “We love this. We love this.”

Oklahoma City just couldn’t take control in the second half. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (35 points) was a star, with Cason Wallace (17 pts) and Jaylin Williams (11 pts, 10 reb) having moments, but they were unable to match the Spurs’ group effort.

The Spurs were 17-of-40 (42.5%) from 3-point range, while the Thunder were 12-of-35 (34.3%).

MAY 30 / 10:47 ET

‘Thunder running out of time’

OKC got a steal, but can’t find a clean look on the other end. Kenrich Williams missed from deep; Alex Caruso missed a leaning 3-pointer; Cason Wallace finally missed.

It’s 1999 all over again; Spurs-Knicks in the NBA Finals.

“A new era has dawned! It’s Wemby’s west! The Spurs are going to the NBA Finals,” said Mike Tirico.

“This is what you want to see — a young team growing up on the biggest stage,” said Reggie Miller.

MAY 30 / 10:42 ET

And then, Cason Wallace

Cason Wallace (15 pts) has four 3-pointers in the quarter, keeping OKC alive.

Chet Holmgren (4 pts, 4 reb) still hasn’t taken a shot in the second half, but did reject Dylan Harper’s attempt at a game-capping poster slam.

107-101 Spurs with 1:23 to go.

MAY 30 / 10:38 ET

Shai responds with a Kobe special

SGA (35 pts) gave the Thunder a jolt of life with a fadeaway midrange jumper over Victor Wembanyama and Julian Champagnie. He had an iota of space to get that off, and put some extra arc on it to get it over The Alien.

104-95 with 4:05 to go.

MAY 30 / 10:36 ET

Champs on the ropes

Mark Daigneault just took his last timeout with 4:26 to go, as a Dylan Harper putback lifts the Spurs to a 104-93 lead.

Jared McCain (12 pts on 5-of-12 shooting) just missed from the corner as Victor Wembanyama flew towards him.

The Thunder are running out of time and options.

MAY 30 / 10:34 ET

Luke Kornet with the chase down block

With Victor Wembanyama on the bench, Luke Kornet just refused to let Isaiah Hartenstein slam it in transition, chasing him down for a swat.

“That was everything,” said Reggie Miller.

“Play of the game,” said Jamal Crawford.

102-93 Spurs with 5:07 to go in the game.

MAY 30 / 10:28 ET

Five fouls on Wemby

Isaiah Hartenstein (7 pts, 5 reb) throws down an and-one slam on the pick-and-roll, drawing the fifth foul on Victor Wembanyama.

97-89 with 7:12 to go in the contest.

MAY 30 / 10:23 ET

The shotmaking is special

Victor Wembanyama (22 pts) just danced on Jaylin Williams, drilling a stepback 3-pointer from the left wing, followed by Keldon Johnson (11 pts) crashing to the rim in transition for a layup.

Cason Wallace (9 pts, 3 3PM) drilled a 3-pointer during the stretch beforehand, continuing his hot shooting. But the Thunder need more offense from somewhere.

It’s 97-86 Spurs with 8:00 to go in the game.

“The champs are on the ropes in the fourth quarter of Game 7,” said Mike Tirico.

MAY 30 / 10:20 ET

Every shot is big

89-83 with 9:44 to go in the fourth quarter, as former Olympic gold medalist Keldon Johnson (9 pts) hits two 3-pointers to hold off another Thunder charge.

Alex Caruso just tried to punch it on Victor Wembanyama, but was sent crashing to the floor.

It’s time to ante up; the Western Conference Finals are on the line.

MAY 30 / 10:13 ET

Spurs lead 80-77 after three

It’s been an epic so far in Oklahoma City. The Spurs have led basically all night, with the Thunder bobbing into the lead as they seek to rally.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 pts on 10-of-17 shooting) has provided the offense for OKC, while the Spurs have had a number of players step up, including Julian Champagnie (17 pts, 5 3PM) and Victor Wembanyama (16 pts, 7 reb, 2 3PM).

Neither team is shooting great — Spurs are at 41.4%, the Thunder at 43.5% — but the intensity is palpable.

Every basket matters right now, as the game teeters and the fans roar in the Paycom Center.

MAY 30 / 10:09 ET

Give it up for J-Will

Jaylin Williams (11 pts, 9 reb) just hit a rainbow 3-pointer as the shot clock expired to cut the Spurs lead to 79-77 with 1:08 to go in the quarter.

Williams was effective against the Spurs all year, averaging 14.8 during the regular season and NBA Cup, and has provided timely offense on multiple occasions tonight.

The Thunder will need more from Chet Holmgren (4 pts, 4 reb) at some point. He hasn’t taken a shot in the second half.

MAY 30 / 10:03 ET

SGA keeping the Thunder alive

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31 pts) has more than twice as many points as the rest of the Thunder starting lineup (14). He’s doing what he can.

Spurs 77-72 with 2:46 to go.

MAY 30 / 9:55 ET

A 16-2 Spurs run

Victor Wembanyama (15 pts, 6 reb) just knocked down his second 3-pointer, staring down Jaylin Williams in transition and sinking it from the right side of the floor.

But Stephon Castle (12 pts, 6 ast) just picked up his fourth foul, sending him to the bench and Alex Caruso to the line.

The Thunder are still searching with Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell out.

Jared McCain is their best offensive option, but the least defensively sound. Cason Wallace is always solid, but doesn’t raise the ceiling that much. Caruso is grinding, but feeling for it some tonight. Kenrich Williams is game, but limited. We’ll see who Mark Daigneault goes with down the stretch.

76-65 Spurs with 4:45 to go in the third quarter.

MAY 30 / 9:49 ET

A great Game 7 in full flow

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (26 pts on 10-of-14 shooting) has it going in the third quarter, but the Spurs are still surging, leading 73-65 with 6:12 to go in the third quarter.

“When you’re in a rhythm like SGA is, the tough shots become easy,” said Jamal Crawford. “He has no doubt his shots are going to go right now.”

On the other side, Julian Champagnie (17 pts, 5 3PM) is suddenly scorching hot, becoming an x-factor as the Spurs try to hold off the defending champs.

If you’re not tuned in to NBC or Peacock, and can find a way to do so, please get on that. This is world-class basketball.

MAY 30 / 9:44 ET

Champagnie raining

Julian Champagnie (9 pts, 3-of-4 shooting) just popped open for a 3-pointer to tie the contest at 63 with 8:03 to go in the third, halting an 8-0 Thunder run.

A horns set featuring a rolling Victor Wembanyama sucked in Jared McCain, leaving Champagnie open for Stephon Castle to find.

On the next possession, Champagnie drew a three-shot foul, as Wemby caught it in the post, drawing the attention of Lu Dort, then kicked it to him.

MAY 30 / 9:39 ET

Caruso for the lead

61-60 Thunder with 8:54 to go in the third, as Alex Caruso (5 pts) drills a 3-pointer to give his team the advantage.

Caruso may be 2-of-10 from the field, but the Texas A&M product and two-time NBA champion is always available for the big shot.

Game 7s can be decided by role players. That was such a moment.

MAY 30 / 9:38 ET

Wemby opens with force

Victor Wembanyama (12 pts) starts the third quarter with a slam, launching from outside the paint to dunk on multiple defenders, and a rejection of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

But the Thunder are right there, cutting the lead to 60-58 with 9:17 to go in the third.

MAY 30 / 9:19 ET

Spurs lead 56-53 at the break

San Antonio closes the second quarter with seven straight points, responding to the Thunder surge and keeping control heading into the half.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19 pts, 5 ast) was countered by De’Aaron Fox (10 pts, game-high +10) and Victor Wembanyama (10 pts, 3 reb) in the final moments of the quarter, as the stars shine in Oklahoma City.

“Shai was being Shai,” said Fox. “Keep playing man. You have bad games, bad series. It’s basketball — it’s going to happen.”

Wembanyama looked uncomfortable at times in the second quarter, catching and holding while he checked out the Thunder defense. The Spurs will look to get him more shots (8 FGA so far) in the second half.

The Spurs are 7-of-17 (41.2%) from 3-point range so far, but the Thunder have taken three more shots on the contest.

MAY 30 / 9:17 ET

‘Right now, SGA is Neo in the Matrix’

Thunder lead 53-49 with 1:17 to go, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19 pts on 8-of-11 shooting, 5 ast) finds Jaylin Williams (8 pts) for an open free throw line jumper.

The momentum’s shifting.

MAY 30 / 9:15 ET

‘This has the intensity of Game 1’

We’re tied at 49 with 1:50 to go in the half after a Lu Dort 3-pointer, as these teams vie back and forth in front of a raucous crowd.

The Thunder haven’t led since Game 5. But they’ve rallied, attacking decisively as the Spurs offense has cooled.

MAY 30 / 9:10 ET

Thunder turning up the tempo

OKC’s started making a concerted effort to push the ball in transition, giving the Spurs less time to load up against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (17 pts).

Shai’s responded with nine of the last 11 points for the Thunder, giving voice to the Oklahoma City crowd.

46-44 Spurs with 3:15 to go in the half.

MAY 30 / 9:02 ET

Where will the Thunder find offense?

Spurs 44-36 with 6:45 to go in the second quarter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11 pts) and Jared McCain (10 pts) have 21 of Oklahoma City’s tally. Who will step up to join them?

Isaiah Hartenstein cameoed as a featured offensive option in the first quarter, to limited effect, while Alex Caruso (2 pts, 15.4 ppg in the series) is 1-of-6 from the field so far.

Mark Daigneault has not gone to Isaiah Joe or Aaron Wiggins yet, who could add some punch, instead sticking with two 3&D wings when McCain’s not on the floor.

MAY 30 / 8:54 ET

Wembanyama rises up from deep

Victor Wembanyama (8 pts) just smoothly stepped into a 26-foot 3-pointer, lifting the Spurs to a 40-31 lead with 8:57 to go in the second quarter.

He shot it like wanted it. Every basket’s big here, as the Spurs look to keep the defending champions on the back foot.

MAY 30 / 8:47 ET

Spurs lead 32-25 after one

San Antonio’s forced six turnovers by OKC so far, putting pressure on the defending champions.

Jared McCain (8 pts apiece) hit a big 3-pointer to give the Thunder a boost in the waning seconds of the quarter. The Spurs’ defense has made it difficult so far.

Stephon Castle (9 pts) is the top scorer for the Spurs.

MAY 30 / 8:38 ET

Thunder looking for their shot

Spurs up 31-20 with 1:40 to go in the first quarter.

OKC’s 2-for-10 (20%) from 3-point range so far — they’re struggling to generate clean catch-and-shoot opportunities so far.

All eyes will soon turn to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Can he lift his team and make plays?

MAY 30 / 8:31 ET

Trading big shots

Spurs up 27-18 with 4:24 to go in the first quarter.

San Antonio led by as many as 14, but Jared McCain dropped the last five points of the contest to rally Oklahoma City.

The Thunder look vulnerable early. Without Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams, they’re missing a ton of offensive creation.

Out of the break, Mark Daigneault went with Jaylin Williams, who can add some shooting and playmaking.

MAY 30 / 8:28 ET

The Alien on a rack attack

A 74.0 on the Dunk Score scale, and another moment in the Wemby-Chet rivalry.

MAY 30 / 8:23 ET

Spurs out to a hot start

18-8 San Antonio with 6:33 to go in the first quarter.

All five Spurs starters are in the books, led by Stephon Castle (6 pts), who just threw down a putback jam in transition.

They’ve come out with energy on the road in the Paycom Center, putting the defending champs in an early 10-point hole.

“You could not have scripted a better start for these Spurs,” said Reggie Miller.

MAY 30 / 7:40 ET

Game 7 on the horizon

The grind ends here. The stress and strain of a long series. The familiarity with your opponent. The stage. The moment is familiar and unfamiliar at the same time — it’s the end of a chapter; it’s one game for all the marbles.

They’re often weird games. Anything can happen. A role player can change everything — ask Cedric Maxwell.

There’s nothing else like it in sports. It’s the best two words you can hear as a basketball fan.

“This is Game 7. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” said Carmelo Anthony.

MAY 30 / 7:25 ET

The stars arrive

“Don’t come to my city, wearing all black, talking about it’s a funeral,” John Wall once said.

MAY 30 / 7:00 ET

Starting Lineups: Spurs-Thunder, Game 7

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and De’Aaron Fox will be handling the rock for the Thunder and Spurs in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.

San Antonio:

  • PG De’Aaron Fox
    • In his last Game 7, Fox played through a broken finger for the Sacramento Kings, battling and falling to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. He’s used to finding his way through injury, and has been a net positive for the Spurs in this series. Can he come up with a hero’s turn tonight?
  • SG Stephon Castle
    • Castle’s held SGA to 52 points on 18-of-41 shooting (43.9%) during this series. The 21-year-old UConn product has expended a ton of energy, but will need his legs one more time to potentially put away the Kia MVP.
  • SF Devin Vassell
    • Vassell’s up to 3.3 3PM on 7.8 attempts (42.9%) in this series. His shooting is a crucial barometer for the Spurs.
  • PF Julian Champagnie
    • Champagnie has hung admirably during this series despite only shooting 38.3/26.7/71.4 from the field. If he’s hot, it could change the game.
  • C Victor Wembanyama
    • The Spurs’ superstar has a chance to advance to the NBA Finals on his plate. How will he respond? His competitiveness and fire have shown through all series.

Oklahoma City:

  • PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
    • SGA averages 27.7 ppg in Game 7s during his career. We’ll see if he needs more than that tonight with Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams ailing. Despite being a brilliant scorer, SGA rarely has huge games — can he up his volume enough if the Thunder require it?
  • SG Jared McCain
    • Daigneault shifted McCain into the starting lineup in Game 6. He was erratic, if dangerous, from the field — can he pick his spots alongside the Thunder stars?
  • SF Luguentz Dort
    • Dort hasn’t been a major factor in this series, but he’s battle-tested and tough. Could be a classic role player to swing a Game 7.
  • PF Chet Holmgren
    • With J-Dub out, Chet is the second star for the defending champs. It’s a huge game for him — a statement would help make his name in this league.
  • C Isaiah Hartenstein
    • Hartenstein has been a beast at times in this series. Watch whether he’s effective — Jaylin Williams is available as a stretch option, but I-Hart is key to OKC’s physicality.

MAY 30 / 6:15 ET

The bruises add up

Which team will have enough energy left to take the series tonight?

MAY 30 / 5:45 ET

Wemby on the rise

Tonight is the biggest game of Victor Wembanyama’s career so far.

Hakeem Olajuwon, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Shaquille O’Neal reached the NBA Finals in their second seasons; Tim Duncan did it in his first. It took David Robinson until his tenth.

Bill Russell did it as a rookie. Wilt Chamberlain did it in his fifth. Bill Walton did it in his fourth.

Can The Alien do it in his third season?

MAY 30 / 4:00 ET

A legendary co-sign

MAY 30 / 3:00 ET

A rivalry that’s spanned the season

Enjoy the best highlights from this epic series.

Then check out the highlights from the semifinals of the 2026 Emirates NBA Cup, where the Spurs and Thunder squared off with it all on the line.

It was both just yesterday and lifetimes ago.

MAY 30 / 2:45 ET

Saturday’s injury report

Jalen Williams (left hamstring strain), Ajay Mitchell (right soleus strain) and Thomas Sorber (right ACL surgery recovery) are out for the Thunder tonight.

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