I almost called it perfectly!
The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111–103 in a tense, emotional Game 7 to capture the Western Conference crown and book a repeat showdown against the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals. I predicted the Spurs to win 110–107 – which was ‘danger close’ -not only in score, but in the feel of the game itself: physical, dramatic, and decided by composure in the closing minutes.
And in the end, the San Antonio Spurs simply looked like the team destined to win it all. In an irony of sorts, the Thunder took almost all categories in the battle of the stats, winning the rebound battle (56-50), the assists battle (23-21), the blocks battle (5-2), the free throws made (17-15). But the Spurs took the 2 pt field goals (40-37) and 3 pt field goals (17-12). Incredible!
I believe the biggest reason behind the Spurs’ victory was their emotional resilience and composure. After losing control of the series and facing elimination 3-2 just days earlier, many expected the young Spurs roster to crumble under the pressure of a Game 6 with their backs against the wall, and a Game 7 on hostile ground. Instead, they played with extraordinary poise. They were unfazed by the odds. They jumped the gun at the start and had an answer for every Thunder run. When the Thunder briefly took the lead late in the 2nd quarter, and again in the middle of the 3rd, the Spurs hit back with haymaker runs of their own. Every moment of adversity was met with calm confidence and discipline rather than panic.
And at the center of it all stood that alien-of-a-star, Victor Wembanyama. This series felt like the official coronation of an inevitable all-time great. Wemby dominated the game far beyond the stat sheets. His rim protection altered Oklahoma City’s entire offense, forcing hesitant drives and rushed jumpers. On offense, he repeatedly punished mismatches, stretching the floor and creating countless opportunities for teammates simply through his presence.
But the Spurs did not win because of one player alone. Their supporting cast deserves enormous credit. The Spurs, starring a trio of elite guards in De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper, moved the ball beautifully throughout the night, repeatedly generating open looks while refusing to devolve into isolation basketball under pressure. Their defensive rotation was sharper, and their transition defense far superior to what OKC showed in the second half.
Meanwhile, the Thunder looked emotionally exhausted. After controlling much of the series earlier, OKC appeared to carry the weight of expectation in Game 7. Perhaps it was the absence of their secondary scoring threat in Jalen Williams and rookie guard Ajay Mitchell, but their offense stagnated during key stretches, and their normally aggressive transition offense lost some of its edge. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fought valiantly, scoring 35 but basketball ultimately remains a five-man game, and the Spurs consistently made the bigger hustle plays when it mattered most.
So what lessons emerge from this series? First: youth no longer fears the moment. For years, analysts assumed that young players – and young teams – needed painful playoff failures before becoming championship-ready. These Spurs shattered that narrative. They learned on the fly. They licked their wounds and grew stronger under pressure instead of weaker. Their confidence never disappeared, even after difficult losses.
Second: defense and emotional control still win championships. In today’s NBA where offensive firepower dominates headlines, San Antonio reminded everyone that discipline, rotations, rebounding, and effort remain decisive in high-pressure basketball.
And finally: superstar talent alone is never enough. The Thunder possessed brilliance, especially with the presence of SGA the league’s 2-time MVP. But the Spurs possessed cohesion. This was Game 7, where chemistry and trust can become more valuable than raw talent.
Now comes the final challenge: the Knicks. The same Knicks that defeated the Spurs not so long ago in the NBA play-in championship. But this is far different now. And it is where things are unique and interesting in its own way. It will be a battle between the well-rested against the well-tested. The Knicks enter the Finals rested, healthy, and overflowing with confidence after dismantling both Philadelphia and Cleveland. Jalen Brunson has evolved into a fearless postseason assassin, while Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart give the Knicks elite depth and versatility.
The Knicks attack for forty-eight minutes. They rebound ferociously, defend multiple positions, and wear opponents down emotionally. The Spurs cannot afford careless turnovers or defensive lapses against a team playing its best basketball of the season.
Still, there is a growing sense that destiny may be forming around this well-tested Spurs team. They survived elimination with a veteran’s poise. They conquered a defending powerhouse on the road. They discovered their identity under pressure. And now, with Wemby ascending into superstardom before the eyes of the basketball world, they suddenly look less like a young contender and more like the imminent threat of a long-lasting dynasty. This is an immensely talented team with relentless physicality.
For San Antonio to win, their young stars must recover quickly. The Thunder series was emotionally draining and physically brutal. Fatigue becomes magnified in the Finals.
My prediction? Spurs in 5. Bold. Dangerous. To some it could be. But then, if this postseason has taught us anything, it is that this San Antonio team does not merely play basketball – they grow stronger when the inevitable scars of war come raining through.
And now the biggest stage of all awaits.
Cover pic courtesy of the San Antonio Express News.
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