Spurs dethrone defending champions Thunder to reach NBA Finals

The San Antonio Spurs have eliminated the defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, to secure their place in the 2026 NBA Finals. San Antonio defeated Oklahoma City 111-103 in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday night at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The victory marks the Spurs’ first appearance in the championship series since 2014.

Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 22 points, while Julian Champagnie contributed 18 points, including significant scoring from beyond the arc. Stephon Castle added 16 points and De’Aaron Fox scored 15 to support the offensive effort. Dylan Harper contributed 12 points, with Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell each finishing with 11. The Spurs’ performance bucked heavy odds to win a decisive Game 7 on the road, ending the series with a victory in Oklahoma City after having started it with one.

For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the standout performer, leading all scorers with 35 points. Despite the high individual output, the defending champions were unable to hold off San Antonio’s balanced attack. The loss ends Oklahoma City’s bid to become the first team to return to the Finals since the Golden State Warriors in 2019, a run that had seen them aim to emulate a three-peat.

The matchup featured the two teams that finished the 2026 regular season with the league’s top two records. The series concluded after a dominant performance by San Antonio on Thursday, which forced the seventh and final game. Historical betting data had projected an 'Under' for the game total, with the 'Under' hitting in two of the past three head-to-head matchups between the franchises.

The Spurs will now host the New York Knicks for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night. The result ensures that for the eighth consecutive season, the NBA will feature a new champion, as the defending title holders have been removed from contention.