NBA Playoffs: Wembanyama's Spurs Dominate Thunder 118-91, Force Game 7 in Western Conference Finals
Victor Wembanyama delivered a 28-point, 10-rebound masterpiece as the San Antonio Spurs crushed the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 118-91 on Thursday night, tying the Western Conference Finals at 3-3 and setting up a winner-take-all Game 7.
Wembanyama's bounce-back performance
Facing elimination after a disappointing Game 5, Victor Wembanyama orchestrated a spectacular rebound on his home floor. The 22-year-old French phenom compiled 28 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks in just 28 minutes of play. After being held in check two days earlier in Oklahoma City, Wembanyama set the tone immediately, scoring 11 points in the first quarter alone — more than his entire field-goal output from the previous game.
The desire to win surpasses the pain.
Wembanyama arrived at the Frost Bank Center with a freshly shaved head and wearing a qamis, which he later confirmed was a nod to Eid al-Adha, celebrated by Muslims worldwide on Wednesday. "Nothing to do with the monks, it was for Eid," he clarified in the post-game press conference, addressing speculation that the outfit referenced his 2025 spiritual retreat at a Shaolin temple in China.
Spurs' third-quarter blitz
San Antonio led 60-53 at halftime, but the game broke wide open in the third quarter. The Spurs outscored Oklahoma City 32-13 in the period, including a devastating 20-0 run that began with Wembanyama on the bench. The Thunder went nearly eight minutes without a field goal as San Antonio's defense suffocated the reigning champions. The more than 19,000 fans at a sold-out Frost Bank Center rose to their feet as the lead ballooned to 28 points at 92-64 entering the fourth.
My heart beats for Wembanyama, he's the best, but sometimes he needs to be more aggressive.
Stephon Castle contributed 17 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds, while Dylan Harper provided a spark off the bench with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. De'Aaron Fox struggled, making just one of nine shots for 5 points.
Thunder's stars falter
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the two-time NBA MVP, delivered his worst playoff performance of the season, finishing with only 15 points on 6-of-18 shooting. The Thunder were also without Belgian guard Ajay Mitchell, sidelined since Game 3 with a right calf injury. Chet Holmgren posted a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds but could not slow San Antonio's onslaught.
Playing at home is nice but it doesn't mean anything, you have to be the best team or your season is over.
The series so far
- Game 1: Thunder win 122-115 (OT) at Paycom Center
- Game 2: Spurs win 122-113 at Paycom Center
- Game 3: Spurs win 123-108 at Frost Bank Center
- Game 4: Thunder win 103-82 at Frost Bank Center
- Game 5: Thunder win 127-114 at Paycom Center
- Game 6: Spurs win 118-91 at Frost Bank Center
- Game 7: at Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
The Western Conference Finals have been a rollercoaster. Oklahoma City opened with a 115-122 overtime victory at the Paycom Center. San Antonio responded with wins of 122-113 and 108-123 to take a 2-1 lead. The Thunder roared back with a 103-82 blowout and a 127-114 win in Game 5, putting the Spurs on the brink. Thursday's emphatic response sets the stage for the ultimate decider.
What's at stake in Game 7
Game 7 will tip off Saturday night at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The winner advances to the NBA Finals to face the New York Knicks, who swept the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals and have been resting since Monday. The Knicks, led by coach Mike Brown, are seeking their first championship since the 1972-73 season. The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on June 3.
In a Game 7, anything can happen.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson praised his team's attitude and said they are ready "for a hostile environment" against a Thunder squad that will deliver "its best punch." For San Antonio, a franchise that last won the title in 2014, a victory would cap a remarkable run led by a young core experiencing the playoffs for the first time.
