The San Antonio Spurs secured a 111-103 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7, earning their place in the NBA finals against the New York Knicks. Many had questioned whether the Oklahoma City Thunder had any weaknesses, but the reigning champions were defeated by the Spurs.
Wembanyama and Teammates Shine
Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to victory in the Western Conference finals. The Spurs’ victory means they will face the New York Knicks in the NBA finals, with Game 1 set for Wednesday in San Antonio.
Julian Champagnie scored 20 points, including six three-pointers. Dylan Harper looked dangerous whenever he came off the bench. Luke Kornet pulled off a brilliant block at the rim in the fourth quarter as the Thunder threatened a comeback. Wembanyama finished the game with 22 points and seven rebounds.
Wembanyama said of his teammates: “They don’t know how much I love them, and everyone stepped up tonight.”
Thunder’s Efforts Fall Short
The Thunder, who were without Jalen Williams due to a hamstring injury, fought hard. They were forced to take hopeful threes from well outside the arc and the Spurs had the final say with a breakaway dunk.
Wembanyama was named the series MVP and was in tears at the end of the game.
Wembanyama said he had been so emotional as his team clinched their place in the finals because he was “realizing that some part of a childhood dream is going to come true”. He added, “We’re still hungry, we want more. This feeling is so powerful, I can’t explain it”.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and dished out nine assists for the Thunder. None of his teammates scored more than 20 as they relinquished their title.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said: “You have to grow from every experience, including the tough ones. And it’s the NBA – there are tough ones. We can also be really disappointed … There’s nobody that we don’t think we can beat, respectfully.”
Spurs Look to History
The Spurs are confident of the road ahead. The last time the Knicks made the NBA finals, in 1999, they faced the Spurs, who won the series 4-1.
Champagnie said after the game: “We never knew if we were going to get this far but when you’ve got the greatest player in the world things happen.”