Spurs conclude Thunder’s championship run, advancing to their first NBA Finals since 2014

Luke Kornet returned to the bench as a hero.

The backup big man for the San Antonio Spurs had just delivered what could be considered the most significant defensive play of Game 7 in the Western Conference finals, stepping in to provide support for Spurs star Victor Wembanyama during a crucial stretch.

Wembanyama left the game after accumulating five fouls, presenting the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder with what appeared to be an excellent opportunity to take control.

However, Kornet swiftly blocked Isaiah Hartenstein just moments after stepping onto the court, allowing the Spurs to capitalize on the opportunity. With a 111-103 victory over the Thunder on Saturday, the Spurs secured their spot in the NBA Finals. Wembanyama remarked, “That was the definition of a winning play.”
San Antonio is set to host the New York Knicks in the opening game of the NBA Finals on Wednesday.

The teams have previously faced each other in the Finals, with San Antonio claiming the 1999 NBA Championship in five games.

It marked the inaugural title among five for the Spurs. Their most recent visit occurred in 2014, during which they triumphed over the Miami Heat in five games.

In the playoffs for the first time since Wembanyama emerged as the face of the franchise, San Antonio is just four wins away from increasing that total.

Spurs coach Mitch Johnson expressed confidence in his team’s performance, stating that their relative inexperience is not a hindrance at this stage. “This team has now been pretty damn consistent for a long time, for over 100 games, for the most part,” Johnson remarked. I am uncertain who possesses as much experience as we do in the 2025-26 season.

The Spurs maintained the lead for a significant portion of the game but faced challenges in overcoming the determined Thunder, who persistently fought back from double-digit deficits to remain within reach.

When Wembanyama, the tone-setter for San Antonio throughout the series, exited the game with five fouls and 6:48 left on the clock, the Spurs found themselves in a precarious situation.

Hartenstein’s steal propelled the Thunder into transition, presenting an opportunity to narrow the deficit to four.

However, Kornet successfully blocked Hartenstein’s shot by positioning himself between Hartenstein and the basket. Following this, Stephon Castle made a pullup jumper, extending the lead to 99-91.

Kornet made his way to the bench just 59 seconds after stepping onto the court, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from his Spurs teammates, including Wembanyama.

Following the stoppage, Julian Champagnie sank his sixth 3-pointer of the game, extending the lead to 11 once again.

The Thunder narrowed the gap to six with just over two minutes left, but Oklahoma City failed to capitalize, going 0-for-4 in their attempts to reduce the deficit further.

Wembanyama recorded 22 points and seven rebounds. “I want to win so badly; it’s as if my life depends on it,” Wembanyama expressed.

Wembanyama was named the Most Valuable Player of the Western Conference finals.

In my view, he possesses a clear vision of the person and player he aspires to become,” Johnson stated. The dedication and effort he invests in that vision are unparalleled.

Champagnie scored 20, while Castle, De’Aaron Fox, and Dylan Harper also made significant contributions for San Antonio.

They were simply the superior team tonight, from beginning to end,” Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stated. “Every time we attempted to take control of the game, it seemed they always had a response.”

Gilgeous-Alexander had faced challenges in the series, shooting only 37.9% from the floor over six games, but in Game 7, he resembled the back-to-back NBA Most Valuable Player much more closely.

I was definitely a bit closer to it,” Gilgeous-Alexander remarked.

He concluded the game with 35 points, shooting 12-of-21, along with nine assists and three steals. “He was brilliant,” remarked Thunder coach Mark Daigneault.

However, the other two members of Oklahoma City’s big three—Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams—had minimal impact.

Williams was unable to participate in his fourth game of the series due to a hamstring injury, while Holmgren concluded the game with merely four points on 1-of-2 shooting. Holmgren did not take a shot following the first quarter.

His two field-goal attempts were the fewest in Holmgren’s career. His only other two-shot game occurred on March 27, 2024.

Cason Wallace contributed 17 points, making his return to the starting lineup with both Williams and Ajay Mitchell sidelined once more.

Alex Caruso contributed 12 points off the bench, although he struggled with his shooting, making only 3 of 14 attempts from the field.

Kornet, who won a title with Boston in 2024, was all smiles after the game. “Someone from the bench yelled, ‘Who is it, LeBron James?'” Kornet said of his block, referencing James’ block of an Andre Iguodala shot in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. We shall observe which one possesses greater endurance in the annals of history.

Gilgeous-Alexander anticipates numerous future matchups with the young Spurs. “They’re young, talented, well-coached, play the right way, and it seems like they enjoy each other’s company,” Gilgeous-Alexander remarked. They possess the makeup. You can’t defeat us without the makeup.