OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 30: Victor Wembanyama #1 and Kelly Olynyk #8 of the San Antonio Spurs talk after the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Seven of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 30, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
No matter what the outcome from this Western Conference Finals was going to be, a proven seven-foot big man from the Gonzaga Bulldogs program was going to end up on the winning side of this all-time Western Conference Finals series. A matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren and the San Antonio Spurs’ Kelly Olynyk. How cool is that?
Yes, Olynyk doesn’t show up in the box score compared to the much younger, much more influential Holmgren in the future basketball landscape. His impact won’t appear to the naked eye, but his San Antonio teammates in the locker room and during a huddle in a hostile road environment understand what he brings to the table. An experienced journeyman who has been around the block throughout his 13-year NBA career.
Olynyk has now reached the biggest NBA stage for the second time. His first chance at a ring fell short as a member of the Miami Heat against the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2020 COVID-version of the NBA Finals.
With his No. 13 jersey hanging in the rafters of the McCarthey Athletic Center, Olynyk was the early start of a proud Canadian-American citizen turned Gonzaga success story. Impactful players like Kevin Pangos, the Nembhard brothers, were paved a path by the 2013 consensus First Team All-American.
Our neighborhood friends from the North always have guys, and coach Mark Few’s rotating staff over the years are continuously aware of it because of Olynyk.
2x Finals appearance for the Canadian/Raptor legend Kelly Olynyk. 🇨🇦
As for Holmgren, his chance at a title repeat has failed. Oklahoma City doesn’t play a fun form of entertaining basketball with all the flopping, understood. But Holmgren also didn’t put together a full stretch of physical and energetic defensive stances against the now face of the league, Victor Wembanyama. Holmgren’s presence was nearly non-existent in the Game 7 loss at home in the PayCom Center. Thunder’s Isaiah Hartenstein was more of the primary ask to be the potential ‘stopper’ for Wembanyama throughout this entire Western Conference Finals.
Holmgren, only 24 years old with already 226 games under his belt, is still on track to be the most accomplished talent to have ties to Spokane, Washington. Even more than the firstborn and raised poster child, John Stockton, who never could reach the mountain top with the Utah Jazz.
Kelly Olynyk really showed up to Game 1 of Spurs vs Blazers in ankle socks 😭💀
All I ask from Olynyk in the NBA Finals… Please, no more ankle socks. It’s a strange basketball attire decision, especially on that worldwide platform. All love, of course.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
OKLAHOMA CITY — Poise. Maturity. Answering the opponents runs by knocking down big shots, or getting a key block. Digging deep when tested and finding a new level of performance and execution. Doing it all in the highest stakes game in a hostile environment.
That's what veteran teams do, what tested teams do. What champions do.
Except, in Game 7 on Saturday night, it wasn't the champion Thunder, it was the young and untested Spurs who did all those things in the Western Conference Finals. They kept their heads about them, at least until the final buzzer, when Wembanyama could be seen in tears. "This feeling, I can't explain it," Wembanyama said. "It's so powerful."
It’s Wembanyama, Spurs world
Early in the season, when the Thunder started 24-1, how this season was going to play out felt inevitable. It was going to be Thunder dynasty talk.
By Christmas, the Spurs had punctured that narrative and started to build one of their own.
San Antonio got to this moment — and to the NBA Finals — faster than anyone projected — even themselves.
At media day prior to the start of training camp, Wembanyama talked about making the playoffs as a top-six seed and avoiding the play-in tournament. There wasn't one "ah-ha" moment where San Antonio suddenly realized they could be this great or contend, Wembanyama said, they just focused on building good habits and stacked those one on top of the other. That's what built the confidence, the belief.
It also helped that the Spurs have a tight-knit and mature locker room. The off-court connectivity carried over to the hardwood.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson had been downplaying the idea of Oklahoma City's championship experience mattering since before this Western Conference Finals started. He said his team has the experience that matters.
"Experience, a lot of times, is used in the form of 'best use' or the lack thereof when you need it the most. And people don't talk about as much the habits, the character, the togetherness, the competitive response..." Johnson said. "And this team has now been pretty damn consistent for a long time...
"I don't know who has as much experience as we do this year in the season of 2025-26."
Full Spurs team effort
Wembanyama was good in this game — 22 points, seven rebounds — and with that was named the Western Conference Finals MVP.
But he wasn't elite in Game 7 (Shai Gilgous-Alexander was the best player on the court). What the Spurs and Wembanyama had was poise and depth as a team. Julian Champagnie made six 3-pointers, some of them back-breaking for the Thunder. Stephon Castle continued his ascent and scored 16. Dylan Harper was making everyone forget he is a rookie, scoring a dozen off the bench.
It wasn't just the kids in San Antonio. One of the veterans on this team, Luke Kornet, was forced into action in the fourth quarter when Wembanyama picked up his fifth foul of the night. Then Kornet went out and made maybe the play of the game.
"I think, in a way, it probably saved me from myself... in terms of he probably needed a break," Johnson said of Wembanyama's foul trouble. "I probably wouldn't have given him one if I didn't have to because of the fouls. And, obviously, playing Monday morning quarterback, Luke was awesome, so it feels good now."
It felt good to Wemby, who was emotional on the podium.
"There's just so many big-time plays, so many guys stepping up," an emotional Wembanyama said. "Oh my god, it's an unreal chance [to play in the Finals]. My life is amazing, and being with these guys, living these things with these guys that I love so, so, so much. It's amazing."
That buzz from winning the Western Conference Finals will wear off, but the Spurs have gained all the experience they needed to reach and win the NBA Finals, showing off their poise and maturity along the way.
Anyone who doubts the Spurs are ready for that bigger stage has not been paying attention the past two weeks. This team has all the poise, maturity, and most importantly, talent it needs.
The Boston Celtics selected big man Amari Williams with the 46th pick of the 2025 NBA draft. Williams would become the first-ever British-born player for the Boston Celtics in franchise history.
Amari played four years at Drexel before a single season with the Kentucky Wildcats and being selected in the 2nd round. Brad Stevens said of Williams in a July 8th press conference that Amari “has a great chance to be impactful here.” Stevens would also praise his knack for passing and cited that Williams “has a high upside.” Williams had a lukewarm debut in Las Vegas. The 7-footer appeared in four of the team’s Summer League games, averaging a modest 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per outing.
He was solid enough, but didn’t break out in the same way that other rookies have previously in Vegas. That all changed in Maine, though, as Amari impressed the fans and coaches with some eye-popping stat lines. The two-way player recorded multiple double-double outings while dominating the paint for Maine. His best performance came against Sioux Falls with 26 points, 12 boards, and eight assists in an overtime win.
UNIONDALE, NY – MARCH 19: Amari Williams #77 of the Maine Celtics looks to pass the ball during the game against the Long Island Nets on March 19, 2026 at The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Evan Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Amari Williams earned minutes for the Celtics after impressing in the G-League, Joe Mazzulla and co. trusting in the young big enough for him to see the court in 22 games in his rookie campaign. Amari started two games for the Celtics and held his own against NBA competition.
Amari’s best game of the season for the Celtics came on January 27th against Portland. Luka Garza was injured, and Amari was the first big off the bench for Boston as he spelled Neemias Queta with 9 points, 7 boards, and 2 blocks in 26 minutes of action against Donovan Clingan and former Celtic Robert Williams III.
On February 7th, 2026, Brad Stevens gave a glowing assessment of Williams, saying that “I think Amari has a real chance to be a player.” With the roster in flux and the Cs in cap management mode, Amari was converted from his two-way contract to sign a two-year, $2.7 million deal, a decent team-friendly deal for a third-string frontcourt player.
Most of his points came on dunks or layups during the regular season, but Amari did show off a baby hook shot in a few games. In his limited NBA minutes, Amari also showed that he is not just a willing passer, but a pretty good one for a seven-footer, quickly spraying passes out to the three-point line from inside the key.
Defensively, Williams has shown one distinct attribute that shows he can hang in the NBA: blocking shots. Amari has tremendous leaping instincts with good timing and really long arms to swat the ball away. He has shown this past season that he can help from the weak side and also get up quick in 1-v-1 situations.
Jan 26, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Amari Williams (77) blocks the shot of Portland Trail Blazers guard Caleb Love (2) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
He’s still got room to develop further, but the tools are there to become a decent backup big man for many years. Boston has developed really serviceable big men recently in Queta and Kornet. Hopefully, Amari will follow the same developmental trajectory.
All of which prompts the question: does Oklahoma City need to significantly tweak its roster to compete with San Antonio?
This is the new reality facing the Thunder. When a young team goes on to win the NBA Finals ahead of schedule like they did last season, it becomes championship or bust.
The thornier complications are financial, and Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti will need to be creative to juggle this roster.
Yet, to be clear, the goal here should be to keep this core intact as much as possible.
Let’s start here: the Thunder, for the latter half of the series, were without Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, both of whom are excellent offensive creators and both of whom ease pressure off of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
With both sidelined, that forced the ball into Gilgeous-Alexander’s hands and made it easier for the Spurs to throw double-teams at him.
It also put a ton of pressure on Oklahoma City’s shooters, to knock down open looks.
Williams and Mitchell, who emerged this postseason as a solid offensive play-maker, allow Gilgeous-Alexander to play off the ball more. In their absence, the Thunder offense stagnated and everything was taxing for the back-to-back NBA MVP, who scored 35 points on 12-of-21 shooting in Game 7.
It’s a very different series if both Williams and Mitchell are healthy.
“I still think we had enough to get it done,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the game. “We won two-and-a-half games without them, we just didn’t get to it in the biggest game of the series. I guess it will take a little bit, but I’ll go back and watch the games where we had some success, and why did we have success and try to duplicate those things next season.”
In some ways, Oklahoma City is already built to stop a team like the Spurs.
The Thunder have a pair of bigs in Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein who can make life tough for Wembanyama. Hartenstein, in particular, used his strength at times in the Western Conference finals to shove and manipulate Wembanyama in the low post.
But Hartenstein has a $28.5 million club option for next season that the Thunder will need to exercise before June 29. If Oklahoma City wants to save some space in the salary cap, declining that option is an easy route.
The more complicated question surrounds Holmgren. His five-year, $239.3 million contract extension kicks in next season. Holmgren finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting to Wembanyama and was an All-NBA third-team selection. Yet, he disappeared at times during the Western Conference finals and produced his worst performance in Game 7, when he took just 2 shot attempts and finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds.
That’s probably not enough for the Thunder to dangle him in a trade this offseason — perhaps to move up from the No. 12 pick that they currently hold in the 2026 NBA Draft — but Presti is going to have to be calculating a judicious.
That means veterans like Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Kenrich Williams may be gone — out of necessity more than anything. The same could be said even for Alex Caruso, who is a tremendously versatile defender and whose championship experience is treasured in the locker room.
If the goal is to keep the core of Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Holmgren intact, the Thunder will need to be cold and calculated. They will have to let go of good players — including ones beloved in the locker room.
Gilgeous-Alexander turns 28 in July and is in his prime. Williams is 25 and Holmgren is 24. The Thunder's window to win is now. As long as this core is together, anything else becomes a disappointment.
“To be a 64-win team and have the net rating we did, overcome some of the adversities we did in the season is something we’re incredibly proud of,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said after Game 7. “It’s something we can build on. When you have a team that’s together for a long time, you have to grow from every experience, including the tough ones. It’s the NBA, there are tough ones.
“And we can also be really disappointed. We felt like we could’ve won the series, obviously. We were right there, in the game and in the series. There’s nobody that we don’t think we can beat, respectfully, so obviously we’re going to be disappointed with the outcome. You don’t have to choose one or the other. You can be proud of the progress you made this season and some of the successes, and you can be disappointed.”
Victor Wembanyama is 7ft 5in and has an 8ft wingspan [Getty Images]
Victor Wembanyama bagged 22 points as San Antonio Spurs defeated defending champions the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014, where they will face the New York Knicks.
San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson had called on Wembanyama to score more than 20 points after a disappointing showing in game five.
An inspired 28-point haul by the 22-year-old Frenchman on Friday helped level the best-of-seven series at 3-3 and save his "childhood dream" - which is now within touching distance.
"Winning the Larry O'Brien [NBA championship trophy] is a childhood dream, and having a real shot at it, having a tangible chance at winning it - it's a lifetime chance," said Wembanyama after reaching the Finals for the first time.
"You never know when it's gonna happen again. But the day we win it, speaking for myself, it's going to be an amazing day - the realisation of a dream.
"It's hard to put into words. It's almost like the meaning of my life."
Johnson's side last won the NBA showpiece in 2014, while the Knicks will compete in the finals for the first time in 27 years.
It will be a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals, which San Antonio won in five games for their first of five NBA championships.
Having scored 41 points in game one and 33 points in game four, the number one pick in the 2023 draft showed in the deciding two matches why he was one of the most coveted picks since LeBron James in 2003.
"What I've learned is that I can go through hurdles that I didn't know could get so high," added Wembanyama.
"I found resources inside of me. Relentlessness. I already knew that, but doing it at this level, this is the best basketball being played on the planet right now. And the crazy thing is I want to do that 15 or 20 more times."
The NBA Finals series will begin on 3 June, with a possible game seven finale on 19 June.
Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, from New Jersey, and Julian Champagnie, from New York, have deep roots in the local basketball scene.
Harper, 20, attended Don Bosco Prep High School just outside of New York City in Ramsey, NJ and spent his freshman year of college at Rutgers before being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Champagnie, 24, went to Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn and then stayed close to home by going to St. John's for three seasons.
After winning the Western Conference Finals, both players couldn't have been more excited to talk about returning home and facing the Knicks at Madison Square Garden on the biggest stage.
"It's going to be a fun one," Harper said. "I think they kind of got us in the [NBA] Cup, like you said, got us when we went there. We pulled out a close one at home. I think for us it comes down to doubling down on what we're good at... I feel like it's a great matchup.
"For me, my dream has been always to play in The Garden in the NBA Finals and I get to do that my first year. I'm not gonna take nothing for granted."
Growing up in New Jersey, Harper said that he's attended many Knicks games throughout his life and expects to get countless ticket requests from people. The rookie added this opportunity doesn't feel real, but he's confident that it's meant to be.
"I've been to so many Knicks playoff games, Knicks games. I live 25, 30 minutes from the arena. I know there's going to be a whole lot of tickets I'll be asked for, but my phone's going to be off for that," Harper said. "It's a dream come true, it's a blessing. It's kind of where I've always wanted to play at for the Finals.
"I think that if you would have told this last year, I would have told you you're crazy. I think that you kind of go through what you go through to get to moments like this. I've kind of just been steadying, just wanting wants best for me."
"I've been to so many Knicks playoff games, Knicks games - I live 25, 30 minutes from the arena. I know there's going to be a whole lot of tickets I'll be asked for."
Dylan Harper on growing up a Knicks fan and now facing them in the NBA Finals: pic.twitter.com/XzlJJTTsrf
Champagnie said playing at The Garden while at St. John's as a kid from Brooklyn was a special moment, but this is going to be a whole different experience.
"That's every kid's dream, that's every kid's dream," Champagnie said. "I remember my first time actually playing in The Garden, I was at St. John's, and I was just like in awe of how much greatness has gone through there and what that means to a kid from the city. Being that now we get to go play them for a championship? That's personal, that's personal.
"I get to go home. Obviously, to see family. I get to play in front of a lot of my family. My family hasn't come to no games yet, I've been keeping it strictly basketball right now. When the Knicks made the championship, I tell them, I said, 'When we get this done, you guys can come to every game if you want to, so what.'
"It's up the block, I've passed by there so many times, I've played there so many times. Being able to go back there and compete for a championship? There's no better feeling, no better feeling."
Knowing the Knicks fanbase well, Champagnie added that he and the Spurs won't be bothered by them traveling to San Antonio and is confident in his team's fans showing up in New York.
"I don't think we're too worried about the fans," Champagnie said. "Obviously me being from New York, I know how they get. So there's a little bit of that in me. I don't think we're too worried about their fans. We have great fans down in San Antonio. I'm 100 percent sure that the same way Knicks fans will travel, San Antonio fans will travel. So I'm not too worried about fans and stuff like that, we're gonna make sure it gets done."
While it will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for the two local players, it'll be a tough challenge against a Knicks team who's won a playoff-record 11 straight games.
Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals is on Tuesday, June 3 in San Antonio at 8:30 p.m.
"That's every kid's dream"
Julian Champagnie, who was born in New York City and played college basketball at St. John's, on playing in the NBA Finals at MSG: pic.twitter.com/UHJhjhJl57
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 30: The San Antonio Spurs celebrates winning the Western Conference championship against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Seven of the Western Conference Finals on May 30, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Morgan Givens/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Two nights ago, the San Antonio Spurs were staring elimination right in the eyes. The defending NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder had control of the Western Conference Finals and had the young Spurs squad on the brink of elimination in their first playoff run. However, instead of folding under pressure like many felt they would, the Spurs responded.
First came the rout in Game 6 as San Antonio handed Oklahoma City a 27-point defeat to force a seventh and final game. On Saturday night, the Spurs faced their biggest test yet: A Game 7 on the road in a hostile road environment to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals. The moment never seemed too much for this Spurs team, not in this year.
Inside a loud and often times deafening Paycom Center, the Spurs played loose and confident as they defeated the Thunder 111-103 to win the Western Conference title and in the process, earning their first trip back to the NBA Finals since 2014.
“We had a lot of guys step up and make shots tonight, which we needed with a variety of people who had the double digit points, but it was a complete team effort,” Spurs Head Coach Mitch Johnson said after the game.
As the final seconds ticked off, Devin Vassell put the exclamation point on the series with a breakaway dunk, sending most of the fans inside the arena towards the exits. As the buzzer sounded, emotion overcame Victor Wembanyama as he embraced his teammates, partly relieved but mostly excited. The franchise that has won five NBA championships and went through a rebuild was finally back on basketball’s biggest stage.
The victory wasn’t built on one moment, it was built on the emotion and resilience of a team that was told “not yet” by critics and talking heads on television. Instead, as Mike Tirco put it, “a new era has arrived.” Wembanyama, the face of the franchise and the centerpiece of its future, delivered when his team needed him the most. He scored 22 points and paced the Spurs’ defense, reminding everyone why he quickly becoming the next face of the league. But it wasn’t just Wemby who put the Spurs back in this position.
“Winning the Larry O’Brien is a childhood dream and having a real shot at it, having a chance, a tangible chance at winning it realizing a dream,” Wembanyama said. “It’s a lifetime chance you never know what’s going to happen again.”
Julian Champagnie had one of the best games of his career, scoring 20 points and hitting six three-pointers. Every time Oklahoma City threatened to build momentum, Champagnie seemed to answer with another big shot from downtown. Stephon Castle, playing far beyond his years, continued his emergence as one of the postseason’s breakout stars with 16 points, six rebounds and six assists.
Still, the Thunder refused to go down without a fight. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put his team on his back, pouring in 35 points, and did everything possible to keep Oklahoma City alive. Each double-digit lead for San Antonio felt fragile when it was matched with another SGA bucket. Still, San Antonio proved this night and this Western Conference belongs to them.
When Oklahoma City cut into the lead during the second half, the Spurs answered with defensive stops. When Wembanyama found himself battling foul trouble late in the game, Luke Kornet came up with a huge block that resembled LeBron James against Golden State in 2016 that led to Mike Breen’s famous call “blocked by James!”. The ball continued to move. The defense continued to swarm.
Most importantly, the belief never disappeared and that’s what has made this run feel different. For years, the Spurs’ future was something to discuss. It was potential, draft picks, projections and being “on schedule”. Now, it is a reality. The young roster that spent the season learning how to win spent the postseason proving it could. Along the way, San Antonio survived injuries, overcame adversity and eliminated the defending champions on their home court.
“Coming here, my first full year, being able to be in the Finals, I don’t know about if I thought that, but I knew that we’re going to have a damn good team, and we continued to get better throughout the course of the season,” Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox said.
The reward is a trip to the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks, a rematch of the 1999 championship series that saw the Spurs win their first NBA title. This version of the Spurs, however, is creating its own legacy. The dynasty teams that had Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, and Gregg Popovich inspired a generation. This Spurs team is beginning to inspire the next one.
Now, after years of rebuilding and a season of learning how to win together, the Spurs are now four wins away from bringing another NBA Championship home to the Alamo City.
While the journey isn’t finished, for one unforgettable night in Oklahoma City, the Spurs arrived exactly where they’ve always believed they belong.
Game Notes
Shoutout to Keldon Johnson, who struggled in these playoffs, but came up big when his team needed him to. He scored 11 points, including two huge three-pointers in fourth quarter.
Dylan Harper had 12 points, showing the confidence of a seasoned veteran. He will be key in these NBA Finals.
Devin Vassell didn’t have the best shooting night, but he did the little things that were needed for his team to come out on top.
The Spurs will have three days off to prepare for the Knicks and, most importantly, give De’Aaron Fox and Harper time to recover from their lingering injuries.
Victor Wembanyama was emotional after the Spurs defeated the Thunder in Game 7 on May 30.
Victor Wembanyama didn’t say anything after Game 5, ducking out of Paycom Center before speaking with reporters.
He didn’t say much after the Spurs’ Game 6 victory, either, during an on-court interview with NBC.
But after Game 7, after Wembanyama powered the Spurs past top-seeded Oklahoma City in a thrilling finish to the Western Conference finals and into an NBA Finals showdown against the Knicks, his emotions on the court said it all.
Wembanyama was visibly emotional while embracing his San Antonio teammates following their 111-103 victory over the Thunder on Saturday in Oklahoma City, at one point placing his head in his hands and yelling in celebration as he made his way around the court immediately after the final buzzer sounded.
“Winning the Larry O’Brien [trophy], it’s a childhood dream, and having a real shot at it, having a chance, tangible chance at winning it, realizing a dream, you know — it’s a chance,” Wembanyama told reporters during his postgame press conference. “It’s a lifetime chance. You never know when it’s gonna happen again. The day we win it, speaking for myself, it’s gonna be an amazing day of realization of the dream. It’s hard to put into words. It’s almost like the meaning of my life.”
THE RAW EMOTION
THE MOMENT THE SPURS CLINCHED THEIR SPOT IN THE 2026 NBA FINALS IN OKLAHOMA CITY! pic.twitter.com/uCfQdOOnI5
Victor Wembanyama reacts after the Spurs’ 111-103 Game 7 win over the Thunder on May 30, 2026 in Oklahoma City. NBAE via Getty Images
It’s fitting that Wembanyama — one of the new faces of the league as a superstar in his third year — will lead the Spurs back to their first Finals appearance since 2014, which also marked their last title.
The 7-foot-4 center finished third in MVP voting and became the first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year winner during the regular season, finishing with averages of 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and an NBA-best 3.1 blocks per game.
Victor Wembanyama was emotional after the Spurs’ Game 7 win. Imagn Images
That success has continued during his first trip to the postseason, too, as Wembanyama had averaged 23.3, 11.0, 2.8 and 3.7 per game in the playoffs before adding another 22 points and seven rebounds in Game 7.
And now, San Antonio sits four wins from its fifth title this century, with Game 1 set for Wednesday against the Knicks — who defeated the Spurs in the NBA Cup final back in December at a neutral site in Las Vegas.
Victor Wembanyama celebrates with his Spurs teammates after their Game 7 win. AP Photo
“I want to win so bad,” Wembanyama said during his postgame press conference. “It’s like my life depends on it.”
The 22-year-old was visibly emotional as the clock ran out on the road game at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. He tucked his face into his jersey and pumped his fists before giving hugs to teammates De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Julian Champagnie.
Wembanyama, who won the Defensive Player of the Year in the regular season, was named the Western Conference finals Most Valuable Player. His emotions continued throughout the night.
Here is two minutes of an extremely emotional Victor Wembanyama celebrating the aftermath of a conference finals elimination of the Thunder. Advances to his first Finals five months after his 22nd birthday. pic.twitter.com/T21ZdAKjaS
"Winning the Larry O’Brien is a childhood dream,” he choked out words to reporters after the game. “And having a real shot at it, having tangible chance at winning it, realizing a dream, it’s a lifetime chance. You never know when it’s going to happen again. But the day we win it, speaking for myself, it’s going to be an amazing day of the realization of a dream. It’s hard to put into words. It’s almost like the meaning of my life.”
But the center made sure to acknowledge that he isn't reaching the NBA Finals on his own.
"It's an unreal chance. My life is amazing and being with these guys, living these things with these guys that I love so, so, so much, it's amazing," he continued. "I want to have this feeling plenty, plenty more times in my life."
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - MAY 28: Carter Bryant #11 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 28, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Another former Arizona Wildcat is heading to the NBA Finals. The San Antonio Spurs beat defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in game seven of the Western Conference Finals, which means Carter Bryant will be heading to the finals in his rookie season.
He becomes the third Arizona alumni to reach the finals in his rookie season since Luke Walton did it with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004. The other player was Richard Jefferson with the New Jersey Nets in 2002.
Carter Bryant is the 3rd Arizona alum to reach the NBA Finals in his first pro season, first since Luke Walton with the Lakers in 2004. The other is Richard Jefferson with the Nets in 2002.
Al Fleming made it in 1978 with Sonics but was drafted in 1976
This is now the 12th consecutive season that an Arizona Wildcat will participate in the NBA FInals. Last season, it was T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin with the Indiana Pacers to make the finals, but unfortunately they could not get the job done.
Aaron Gordon and Zeke Nnaji were the last Arizona Wildcats to win the NBA Finals when they won with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.
Bryant was drafted by the Spurs in last year’s NBA Draft with the 14th overall pick. His rookie season has given him a bit of everything.
Earlier this season, he participated in the NBA dunk contest and was beaten in the championship by another former Wildcat in Keshad Johnson. Fast forward and Bryant will now be playing on the NBA’s biggest stage.
The conference finals did bring a lot of struggle but in typical Arizona fashion he responded. From being chewed out by his coach to having some of the loudest plays, Bryant has taken big steps in his basketball development.
Carter Bryant appeared to have tears in his eyes after his coach yelled at him following a turnover pic.twitter.com/bBVIo5wI8i
It’s one thing for your coach to stick by you, but when you have one of the best players in the world continuously supporting you, the work ethic can never fade. Victor Wembanyama, along with the rest of the Spurs, have never lost faith in Bryant.
The New York Knicks were the team from the eastern conference awaiting their NBA Finals opponent. This is a team that not only San Antonio has struggled against, but Bryant has seen major struggles.
In the two regular season games between New York and San Antonio, Bryant played a total of 11 minutes and did not score. It will certainly be interesting to see how much he will be played in his first finals appearance. The first opportunity he could have will be next Wednesday in game one.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MAY 23: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks celebrates a basket against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter in Game Three of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena on May 23, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The New York Knicks are playing the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals after their opponent pulled out a gutsy Game 7 win on the road to get back to the Finals for the first time in 12 years.
For the Knicks, it’s a rematch of their last Finals appearance in 1999, when they lost in five games to Tim Duncan, David Robinson, and the Twin Tower Spurs. This time around, they won’t face two towers in the paint, but they are facing off against one of the most unique big men in league history in Victor Wembanyama.
Here’s a look at the schedule for the series between the Knicks and Spurs:
Game 1: Wednesday June 3, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) – Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Game 2: Friday June 5, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) – Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
Game 3: Monday June 8, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Game 4: Wednesday June 10, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Game 5: Saturday June 13, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) – Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX (if necessary)
Game 6: Tuesday June 16, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)– Madison Square Garden, New York, NY (if necessary)
Game 7: Friday June 19, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) – Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX(if necessary)
Posting & Toasting community, what are you most looking forward to in the series between the Knicks and Spurs? Let us know in the comments section below.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 10: Rolando Blackman represents the Dallas Mavericks during the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery on May 10, 2026 at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
On Monday I asked the staff this simple question (then forgot to run the post for a week): what is something regarding the NBA Draft that you’ve talked yourself into?
Tyler: I’ve talked myself into believing that the Mavericks will be making at least one draft night trade in round one. At pick nine, it could be that they see value in moving back and drafting a guy they didn’t feel was worth it at ninth. It could be wanting to acquire an extra first-round pick (think OKC or Charlotte). Or, it could be trading pick 30 for cap relief, or even attaching a player to pick 30 to move up in the order. I don’t know which will be the case, but I’m convinced at least one will happen.
Sudarshan: Maybe not since the Lottery, but I’ve talked myself into being somewhat accepting of the Masai Ujiri hiring.
Regarding the draft itself? We’re going to get a polarising prospect which will inspire many a heated debate about fit & future.
Bryan: I’ve talked myself into Brayden Burries being the best guard option available after the top 4 (Brown, Wagler, Acuff, Flemings) are off the board. There is still a solid chance that Aday Mara goes 8th to Atlanta and one of the lead guards falls to us, but if not, we could do much worse than Burries at 9.
Joe: Something I’m convincing myself of more and more is that Dallas is going to have more options at 9 then a lot of people originally let on. When the season ended on April 12th, the entire fanbase was online complaining and pouting that winning 26 games in a season wasnt good enough because they wouldnt be able to have a good chance at a top 4 pick and that they would have less options to draft an all world prospect. I think as we get closer and closer, we see the consensus uncertainty and near guaranteed chaos that is almost surely going to happen throughout the top 10 picks of this upcoming nba draft. I think that between the different taste in the teams favorite prospects and depth of upper echelon talent, there are going to be teams who make some interesting and consensually bizzare decisions. I think a team like the Nets, the Kings, or the hawks, can reach or take someone that pushes one of the Mavs guys to them at 9
Brent: Bracing for changes this summer. Maybe on or before draft night. No one outside of #32 is untouchable and we have a new brain trust in place who will shake things up in ways we will not see coming. Expect the unexpected. So much ink is being spilled right now on what might happen and I feel like we are about to get a curveball or two that will reshape the face of this roster.
Michael: I’ve talked myself into actually remembering that I have no idea what will happen. Early on, I took to believing the Mavs would target a guard, then got on the hope train that we’d still get a good one despite falling a spot in the draft order. Now I’ve all but eliminated most of those thoughts in exchange for hopeful optimism and expecting the unexpected.
I trust Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz enough to do the right thing, but the “right thing” is now colored against a much different background. It seems evident that a massive roster overhaul is at least plausible, so with that, I no longer have any expectation we’re going for a guard. In fact, I expect something unexpected that will begin to make sense as the offseason really begins to play out. If anyone on the current roster could be moved, anyone in the draft could reasonably fill a need. Therefore, I’m expecting the front office to make intelligent moves, but no longer predicting what those moves might be.
After rolling through the Eastern Conference behind Jalen Brunson’s playoff brilliance, the Knicks now face the San Antonio Spurs after Wemby & Co. eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.
Despite New York’s dominant postseason run, NBA Finals odds immediately opened the Knicks as series underdogs, saying everything about how highly the betting market views OKC.
Before Game 1 tips off, here’s a full breakdown of the opening Knicks vs. Spurs NBA Finals odds, Finals MVP markets, and the best early betting angles.
Knicks vs. Thunder NBA Finals odds
Market
Knicks
Spurs
Series price
+170
-205
Game 1 spread
+5.0 -110
-5.0 -110
Game 1 moneyline
+170
-205
Game 1 total
Over 217 -110
Under 217 -110
Odds as of 5-30 via bet365.
The New York Knicks may have entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed, but New York hasn’t looked like an underdog for weeks.
After sweeping both the 76ers and Cavaliers in back-to-back series, the Knicks punched their ticket to the NBA Finals behind Jalen Brunson’s playoff brilliance and one of the most physical defensive identities left in the postseason.
Still, sportsbooks opened San Antonio as the favorite entering the series.
The betting market clearly respects the Spurs' depth and versatility, but the Knicks have already proven throughout this playoff run that they’re more than capable of controlling games with defense, rebounding, and clutch shot-making.
NBA Finals MVP Odds
Player
Odds
Victor Wembanyama
-175
Jalen Brunson
+210
Karl-Anthony Towns
+2000
Stephon Castle
+6000
OG Anunoby
+7500
De'Aaron Fox
+10000
OG Anunoby
+12500
Odds as of 5-30 via bet365.
Jalen Brunson opened as the clear betting favorite on the Knicks side after carrying New York through the Eastern Conference playoffs, while Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby also remain intriguing long-shot options entering the NBA Finals.
Still, the market continues to lean heavily toward Oklahoma City.
Victor Wembanyama opened as the overall Finals MVP favorite at -175, reflecting both the Spurs' status as series favorites and his dominant postseason run. Meanwhile, players like Stephon Castle continue to draw respect because of San Antonio’s depth and defensive versatility.
If the Knicks are going to pull off the upset, though, it’s difficult to imagine anyone other than Brunson winning the award.
Knicks vs. Spurs series prediction
The Knicks bring physicality, depth, and defensive toughness, but this series ultimately comes down to a question they may not be able to answer: how do you consistently contain Victor Wembanyama over seven games or less?
San Antonio’s ceiling is simply higher. Wemby’s two-way dominance warps matchups on both ends, and if the Spurs get even steady secondary production, they’ll be difficult to slow.
The Knicks can grind games into the mud and steal a couple with their rebounding and half-court execution, but they lack the singular superstar force to tilt a tightly contested series.
Expect a competitive, physical Finals with multiple close finishes, but San Antonio’s star power and defensive versatility give them the edge late.
Prediction: Spurs to win NBA Finals (-205)
Early Knicks vs Spurs Game 1 prediction
We saw New York look a little sluggish in this same scenario for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, coming off an extended rest while their opponent just finished a seven-game series.
The Knicks trailed by as much as 22 points in the fourth quarter, but rallied back as Cleveland utterly collapsed.
The Spurs will not implode like that.
I don't think San Antonio will be up by 20+ points either, but if New York has to shake off rust in the Finals opener, the Spurs are too talented to not take advantage.
Prediction: Spurs -5 (-110)
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Victor Wembanyama continues Wemby-mania with Stephon Castle and rookie sensation Dylan Harper as he marches into his first NBA Finals with the Spurs. The center has already had an outstanding postseason with the most blocks in a game, and, at 22, he was the youngest player to have a 40-point, 20-rebound in playoff history.
After bulldozing through the conference semifinals and finals, this is the Knicks' first time making it to the championship round since 1999. Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges will seek to bring the Big Apple back to glory with Ben Stiller, Spike Lee and Timothée Chalamet cheering them on every step of the way.
The NBA Finals tip off on Wednesday, June 3 in San Antonio.
Knicks
Spurs