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The San Antonio Spurs moved back into the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014 after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, closing out the series 4-3 and setting up a championship rematch with the New York Knicks.
The NBA Finals are the league’s championship series, bringing together the winners of the Eastern and Western Conferences. Game 1 against New York is scheduled for 12:30 a.m. GMT on June 4.
San Antonio came through a tight seven-game series behind another composed team performance, with Victor Wembanyama leading the Spurs with 22 points and Julian Champagnie adding 20.
The result sealed the Western Conference title for the Spurs, who had to fight back after Oklahoma City gained control during the series. San Antonio kept themselves alive with a balanced effort in Game 6 before carrying that momentum into the decisive matchup.
The series had opened with a double-overtime win for San Antonio, as Wembanyama put up 41 points and 24 rebounds, while Dylan Harper added 24 points in Game 1.
Oklahoma City later pushed ahead, but the Spurs responded in Game 4, when Wembanyama scored 33 points to bring the matchup level again. That performance helped San Antonio stay in the contest before the team finally finished off the Thunder in Game 7.
The win sends the Spurs to their first NBA Finals in 12 years and brings back a championship pairing last seen in 1999.
The Knicks also return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, when they faced San Antonio in a series won by the Spurs. Their latest meeting now sets up another Finals contest between two teams, ending long waits for a return to the championship stage.
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