Spurs advance to 2026 NBA Finals despite Game 1 setback

The San Antonio Spurs have secured their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014, advancing ahead of schedule to face the New York Knicks in the 2026 championship series. The franchise reached the final stage following a dramatic Game 7 victory over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals, a series that required multiple comebacks to overcome.

In Game 1 of the Finals, the Spurs suffered a 105-95 defeat after squandering a late fourth-quarter lead. Victor Wembanyama recorded playoff career highs for turnovers and missed shots, shooting less than 30 per cent from the field for the third time in the postseason. The team recorded only 16 assists, breaking a streak of 237 consecutive games with at least 20 assists, while the Knicks won the second-chance points battle 23-14.

Despite the loss, the Spurs remain confident in their resilience, attributing their composure to a challenging 2025-26 season characterised by injuries, coaching transitions, and multiple series comebacks. Wembanyama received a text message from Hall of Fame coach Gregg Popovich after Game 1, which the player summarised as a reminder that he is better than his recent performance.

The team’s journey included significant personnel and leadership changes. Head coach Mitch Johnson was appointed full-time head coach following Popovich’s stroke in November 2024, having served as interim coach for 77 games. General Manager Brian Wright cited the evolution of young players, including Steph Castle, Keldon Johnson, and Devin Vassell, as key to the team’s success.

Key players faced substantial hurdles throughout the playoffs. De'Aaron Fox missed the first two games of the Western Conference finals, and rookie guard Dylan Harper suffered a right adductor strain in Game 2 of that series. Despite these challenges, the Spurs rallied to defeat Oklahoma City, with Harper and Fox combining for 27 points in the decisive Game 7.