Reigning Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama produced a performance for the ages as the San Antonio Spurs stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 in a double-overtime thriller to open the Western Conference Finals, snapping the Thunder’s unbeaten postseason run.
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Oklahoma City had cruised through the first two rounds without a loss, but they ran into a different level of resistance today. A Spurs side that had already beaten them three times during the regular season again found a way, slowing the league’s top-ranked offence and dragging the series opener into deep waters before sealing a statement win.
It also carried historical weight for San Antonio. The victory marked their first Conference Finals win in 12 years, taking them back to the 2013-14 era when they last reached this stage against Oklahoma City, before going on to beat the Miami Heat 4-1 in the NBA Finals.
A lot has changed since then. Both rosters have been rebuilt, new stars have emerged, and the league landscape looks completely different, but the edge between these two franchises feels just as sharp. Whenever the Spurs and Thunder meet in the playoffs, it still has the feel of something bigger.
Wembanyama was the difference throughout, finishing with 41 points, 24 rebounds and three blocks in more than 49 minutes, the heaviest workload of his career. Even late in a draining contest, he refused to fade.
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He set the tone in the first overtime, draining a fearless deep three in the final minute to keep San Antonio alive after momentum swung Oklahoma City’s way.
From there, he took full control in the second overtime, closing the game with an and-one dunk over Chet Holmgren after Holmgren had earlier forced the first extra period with a crucial late block in regulation.
Fresh from the win, Wembanyama was quick to downplay any sense of arrival, instead pointing to the Spurs’ collective mindset in their first real test of the postseason.
“I don’t even know. First time we’re in this situation,” he said post-game.
“Sheer willpower. Everything was going to manifest tonight, I wasn’t really thinking.
“Everybody had to step up, everybody had to answer the call. We’re just built like this.”
Despite stealing home-court advantage, the 21-year-old made it clear the job is only just beginning.
“It might be a long series. Winning one game means something, but it doesn’t mean everything.”