Spurs eliminate Thunder, advance to NBA Finals

The Spurs are headed back to the NBA Finals.

Behind another strong performance from Victor Wembanyama and a resilient effort on the road, San Antonio defeated the defending champion Thunder, 111-103, in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday night.

The victory sends the Spurs to their first NBA Finals since 2014, when they captured the franchise’s fifth championship.

San Antonio was in command for most of the evening

San Antonio controlled most of the night, leading for nearly the entire game and building a 12-point advantage with less than four minutes remaining. Oklahoma City made a late push, trimming the deficit to six, but never seriously threatened down the stretch.

Wembanyama finished with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Julian Champagnie added 20 points in one of the biggest games of his career.

The Thunder were led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 35 points and handed out nine assists. Cason Wallace chipped in 17 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, as Oklahoma City tried to rally.

Instead, the Spurs found the answers they needed.

The loss ends Oklahoma City’s bid to repeat as NBA champions and guarantees the league will crown a new title winner for the eighth consecutive season.

Awaiting San Antonio in the Finals are the New York Knicks, who swept the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals to reach the championship round for the first time since 1999.

Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday in San Antonio.