OKLAHOMA CITY — The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday at Paycom Center, securing a spot in the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks.
The Spurs will open the Finals at home on Wednesday. The matchup marks the second NBA Finals meeting between San Antonio and New York. The Spurs won their first championship against the Knicks in 1999.
San Antonio maintained control for much of the game but faced repeated comeback attempts from Oklahoma City. The Thunder remained within striking distance throughout the second half and cut into several double-digit deficits.
The game turned in the final seven minutes after Spurs star Victor Wembanyama left the floor with five fouls and 6:48 remaining. Moments later, Spurs reserve center Luke Kornet entered the game and blocked a transition shot attempt by Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein. On the ensuing possession, Stephon Castle converted a pull-up jumper to extend San Antonio’s lead to 99-91.
Kornet remained on the court for less than a minute before returning to the bench. Following a stoppage in play, Julian Champagnie made his sixth three-pointer of the game to push the Spurs’ advantage to 11 points.
Oklahoma City trimmed the deficit to six points with just over two minutes left but failed to capitalize on four subsequent possessions.
Wembanyama finished with 22 points and seven rebounds and earned Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player honors.
Champagnie scored 20 points, while Castle, De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper also contributed key performances for San Antonio.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City with 35 points, nine assists and three steals while shooting 12-of-21 from the field.
The Thunder played without Jalen Williams, who missed his fourth consecutive game of the series because of a hamstring injury. Chet Holmgren scored four points on 1-of-2 shooting and did not attempt a field goal after the first quarter.
Cason Wallace added 17 points for Oklahoma City, while Alex Caruso scored 12 points off the bench.
The victory sends San Antonio to its first NBA Finals appearance since 2014. The franchise seeks its sixth NBA championship and first since defeating the Miami Heat in the 2014 Finals.