Spurs dethrone Thunder to reach NBA Finals after Holmgren’s Game 7 collapse
Victor Wembanyama and young core overcome injuries to OKC stars and Chet Holmgren’s subdued performance
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.
San Antonio’s win was anchored by a combined 48 points, 20 rebounds, and 11 assists from Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper. The trio delivered critical plays throughout the contest, with Harper and Castle combining for seven offensive rebounds. The Spurs’ young core, all aged 22 or younger, maintained composure in a high-pressure environment, stepping up to keep San Antonio’s season alive after a difficult Game 6.
Oklahoma City’s campaign ended amidst significant challenges, including injuries to key secondary shot-creators Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell. Williams was sidelined with a hamstring issue, while Mitchell played through a strained calf. The absence of these players compounded the Thunder’s difficulties, forcing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to carry a heavier offensive load.
The Thunder’s offensive struggles were exacerbated by the performance of Chet Holmgren, who scored just four points on two shot attempts in 33 minutes. Holmgren appeared to avoid defensive matchups with Wembanyama, taking zero shots in the second half. CBS Sports described the performance as a "disappearing act" comparable to Ben Simmons’ 2021 playoff collapse, noting that Holmgren seemed terrified to engage with the ball or the opposing star.
Holmgren, who is set to begin a five-year, $239 million contract next season and was voted Third Team All-NBA this season, averaged 10.7 points per game in the series, down from 17 in the regular season. He was held to single digits twice and struggled with efficiency outside the rim, shooting 32.1 per cent in the non-restricted paint and 26.1 per cent from three-point range. Despite the loss, the Thunder’s depth and defence, bolstered by contributions from Alex Caruso and Jared McCain, allowed them to reach Game 7.
The Spurs will now face the New York Knicks in the championship series. San Antonio’s victory was driven by their ability to capitalise on Oklahoma City’s injuries and Holmgren’s inability to exploit size mismatches against Wembanyama. The Spurs’ young core proved decisive in a series where they dominated four of five regular-season matchups against the Thunder.
