Spurs ride Wembanyama's emotion into NBA Finals against Knicks, Thunder force Game 6 behind Gilgeous-Alexander
Victor Wembanyama's Spurs are still processing their Game 7 triumph over the defending champion Thunder as they prepare to face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. Oklahoma City, meanwhile, staved off elimination with a Game 5 win over San Antonio in a separate series.
Spurs' emotional breakthrough
The San Antonio Spurs are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014, led by 22-year-old French star Victor Wembanyama. The team defeated the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in a dramatic Game 7 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday, with Wembanyama openly weeping on the court afterward. The Spurs won Games 6 and 7 to eliminate the Thunder and two-time reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Coming back down from this is a challenge. It's not done yet. We still need to really come back down to Earth and realize we haven't done the hardest thing yet.
Wembanyama, the 2024 Rookie of the Year and unanimous 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, is averaging 23.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks in his first postseason. He described seeing former coach Gregg Popovich, now team president, upon the team's return home.
Thunder force Game 6 in separate series
In a different Western Conference finals matchup, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs 127-114 at home on Tuesday to take a 3-2 series lead. Gilgeous-Alexander overcame a rough start (four missed shots, three first-quarter turnovers) to lead the Thunder, who played without Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell for a second straight game.
I thought we were first to the fight tonight on both ends and I thought we weren't the other night. I just loved the way we approached tonight on both ends of the floor.
Jared McCain, making his first playoff start, scored 18 of his 20 points after halftime. Alex Caruso added 22 points, six assists, and three steals, while Chet Holmgren finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds. The trio combined for 58 points after managing just 14 in Sunday's Game 4 loss.
Finals matchup with the Knicks
The Spurs now face the New York Knicks, who are seeking their first NBA title since 1973. Game 1 is set for Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. in San Antonio. The Knicks have won 11 consecutive playoff games and are facing their third straight opponent that needed a Game 7 to advance.
We didn't get here to say, we're the Western Conference finals champions. We want to sit here and say we're the NBA champions, we won the finals.
By beating the Thunder, the Spurs ensured there would be a new champion for the eighth consecutive season, the league's longest stretch without a back-to-back winner. Wembanyama, standing at 2.24 meters, was San Antonio's first selection in the 2023 Draft and is drawing comparisons to Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Wembanyama's rise
In his third NBA season, Wembanyama has led the Spurs to the Finals in their first playoff appearance during his tenure. He led the league in blocks for a third consecutive season and was named Defensive Player of the Year unanimously. The Spurs' five championship banners from 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014 hang in their arena, representing the franchise's past glory under Popovich and stars like Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili.
