In a commanding Game 6, Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to a decisive 118-91 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wembanyama delivered an impressive 28 points and 10 rebounds, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. His performance prompts questions about carrying this momentum forward into the critical Game 7 matchup.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder faced challenges during this series, leading to discussions about his impact on the Thunder’s potential downfall. Despite the back-and-forth nature of the series, Game 7 saw the Spurs narrowly defeat the defending champions, 111-103, securing their place in the NBA Finals. This victory sets up a long-awaited rematch with the New York Knicks, the team they defeated in the 1999 championship series.
The Game 7 showdown marked the 160th winner-take-all game in NBA history and was the fifth such game this season. Wembanyama again led San Antonio in Game 7 with 22 points and seven rebounds. Gilgeous-Alexander, meanwhile, scored 35 points for Oklahoma City, maintaining his high-scoring presence despite the team’s loss.
The New York Knicks reached the Finals after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks have been on a remarkable playoff run, being undefeated in their last 11 playoff games. This upcoming Finals series will see a new champion crowned, making it the eighth different franchise to win the title in as many seasons. This trend highlights the unpredictable nature of recent NBA playoffs, with no defending champion making a repeat Finals appearance since Golden State in 2019.
The Spurs’ victory marks their first Finals appearance since defeating Miami Heat for the championship in 2014. With Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals kicking off in San Antonio, both the Knicks and Spurs aim to add their names to the list of recent champions. The outcome of this series will end the string of new team victories in recent years, joining a diverse group of franchise winners.