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Recap: Spurs dominate Thunder, bringing the Western Conference Finals to Game 7

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Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder to force Game 7 in the Western Conference Finals.

The San Antonio Spurs led wire-to-wire in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, earning a 118-91 win to bring the series to a winner-take-all Game 7.

Victor Wembanyama (28 pts, 10 reb, 3 blk) hit his first three 3-point attempts, pushing San Antonio to an early advantage. They never looked back.

“We feel like collectively that we’re better than this team,” said Stephon Castle (17 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast), who put up his eighth 15/5/5 game of the Playoffs.

Only Magic Johnson (10) and Larry Bird (9) have had more in a single postseason as a rookie or sophomore.

What we know after Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals:

  • We’re headed for the 39th Game 7 in Conference Finals history.
  • Postgame Presser: Thunder-Spurs
  • This series will reconvene Saturday at 8:30 ET on NBC and Peacock.

11:22 PM / MAY 28

One time for Victor Wembanyama

When Wemby’s outscored Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in this series, the Spurs have won. When he hasn’t, they’ve lost.

11:16 PM / MAY 28

Postgame Presser: Thunder-Spurs

10:59 PM / MAY 28

‘The Spurs have pulled it off, and there will be a seventh game’

San Antonio wins 118-91, extending the 2026 Western Conference Finals to a climactic Game 7.

The Spurs led wire-to-wire, taking control with a 32-13 third quarter to earn a dominant victory in front of their home crowd. They held the Thunder to 35-of-95 (36.8%) shooting on the game.

“Trust in the coaches,” said Victor Wembanyama (28 pts, 10 reb, 3 blk). “Play with effort.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (15 pts on 6-of-18 shooting) led Oklahoma City in scoring.

Stephon Castle (17 pts, 5 reb, 9 ast) put up his eighth game of 15/5/5 in the Playoffs. Among rookies and sophomores, only Magic Johnson (10) and Larry Bird (9) had more in a postseason run.

Dylan Harper (18 pts in 22:04) was also crucial for the Spurs in the win.

10:46 PM / MAY 28

Party time in San Antonio

110-82 with 5:39 to go.

Both coaches have pulled the regulars — we’ve got Jared McCain, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Nikola Topić and Kenrich Williams for the Thunder and Jordan McLaughlin, Lindy Waters III, Carter Bryant, Kelly Olynyk and Bismack Biyombo for the Spurs.

It’s been an epic series. Take a breather and enjoy some low-key basketball. We’re going to Game 7 in the Western Conference Finals.

10:40 PM / MAY 28

Spurring alley-oops

First, Stephon Castle found Victor Wembanyama (28 pts), then Dylan Harper found Luke Kornet soon thereafter.

The Spurs are largely in control here. The Thunder have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren on the bench, while Wembanyama’s resting as well.

102-77 with 8:08 to go in the game.

10:28 PM / MAY 28

Spurs up 92-66 after three

San Antonio’s taken control of this one with a 20-2 run, locking down Oklahoma City and holding them to their lowest-scoring quarter of the season. The Thunder had just 13 points in the period.

Chet Holmgren (10 pts, 11 reb, 2 blk) had their only bucket of the last 8:23.

He also rejected Victor Wembanyama with seven seconds to go, but Wemby immediately got him back on the other end. It’s fun to watch these two go at it.

The crowd’s roaring in the Frost Bank Center. We’ve got a likely Game 7 in the offing.

Tune in and enjoy the excitement in San Antonio! We’re live on NBC and Peacock.

10:23 PM / MAY 28

Spurs still going

90-64 with 1:58 to go in the third quarter. San Antonio is suddenly running away with it.

The Thunder last scored with 8:23 left to go in the period.

Now, Game 7 is looming on the horizon.

10:15 PM / MAY 28

San Antonio pushes the lead

A 9-0 run has the Spurs up 81-64 with 6:00 to go in the third — their largest lead of the contest.

Dylan Harper (18 pts on 6-of-7 shooting) has the last six points. He’s been a spark for San Antonio all night — when his 3-pointer is on target, he’s as tough to stop as any guard in the league.

9:58 PM / MAY 28

Spurs come out firing

Devin Vassell (12 pts) and Julian Champagnie (8 pts) have hit 3-pointers in the opening minutes of the third quarter, as the Spurs extend their lead.

They’re now 13-of-29 (44.8%) from deep tonight.

70-60 Spurs with 9:35 to go in the third quarter.

9:38 PM / MAY 28

Spurs up 60-53 at the half

Oklahoma City pulled within five as the half neared a conclusion, but Victor Wembanyama (22 pts, 6 reb, 4 3PM) tipped in a De’Aaron Fox miss to give the Spurs a boost going into the break.

The Thunder keep rallying despite the Spurs’ hot shooting — 50% from the field, 44% from 3-point range — and the raucous crowd. Cason Wallace (11 pts on 4-of-4 shooting) is their top scorer.

The Spurs will enter the second half with a chance to extend their season. The Thunder can go to the NBA Finals for the second-straight year. The stage is set.

“No matter what, just double down on being us,” said Dylan Harper (12 pts on 5-of-6 shooting) of San Antonio’s approach.

9:29 PM / MAY 28

Competitive fire on display

The energy is turning up in the Frost Bank Center.

Carter Bryant just swooped down the lane for a slam, followed by Devin Vassell rejecting Chet Holmgren and letting him know about it.

“He’s still going,” Reggie Miller said of Vassell’s trash talk. “And I love it.”

55-46 Spurs with 2:15 to go in the half.

9:19 PM / MAY 28

Thunder pushing back

Oklahoma City went on a 16-7 run to begin the quarter, cutting the Spurs’ lead to six, including two 3-pointers from Cason Wallace (8 pts).

But the Spurs countered, as Devin Vassell hit a 3-pointer, Dylan Harper (12 pts) slashed to the rim and Victor Wembanyama returned to the floor with a quick bucket.

51-41 with 5:29 to go in the half.

9:13 PM / MAY 28

Dylan Harper has it going

Eight points in 8:44 for the rookie out of Rutgers — that’s the most he’s scored in any game since Game 2.

42-31 Spurs with 8:47 to go in the half.

9:04 PM / MAY 28

Spurs lead 35-22 after one

San Antonio hit eight 3-pointers in the first quarter — the most they’ve hit in a quarter in the play-by-play era (since 1997-98), including three from Victor Wembanyama (11 pts).

It’s a brilliant start for the Spurs. Keep an eye on De’Aaron Fox, though. The veteran point guard missed a point-blank bank shot and airmailed a corner 3-pointer during the quarter. He’s still searching for his form while recovering from a right high ankle sprain.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6 pts on 3-of-7 shooting) and Isaiah Hartenstein (6 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast) lead the Thunder in scoring.

8:59 PM / MAY 28

Spurs locked in early

Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson and Dylan Harper just knocked down 3-pointers in quick succession for the Spurs. They’re looking for a hot shooting night at home — the crowd’s lifting them so far.

San Antonio is 7-of-12 (58.3%) from 3-point range so far, while Oklahoma City is 1-of-5 (20%).

28-20 Spurs with 2:00 to go in the quarter.

8:46 PM / MAY 28

Wembanyama in isolation

After calling off his teammates, Wembanyama isolated at the top of the arc against Isaiah Hartenstein, shaking him with a crossover dribble then hitting a turnaround jumper.

When he does the 7’4″ wing thing, it can be breathtaking.

14-9 Spurs with 7:02 to go in the first.

8:38 PM / MAY 28

Wemby starts off strong

Victor Wembanyama (6 pts, 1 blk) has nailed his first two 3-pointers. He lined them up like he wanted them.

Stephon Castle’s assisted on all three Spurs baskets so far.

9-2 Spurs with 10:30 to go in the quarter.

8:30 PM / MAY 28

A big addition for the Thunder

The wing out of Santa Clara will attempt to find his rhythm with a chance to advance to the NBA Finals on the line.

6:45 PM / MAY 28

Arriving in style

The Alien is in deep focus ahead of Game 6.

Wembanyama said after the game that he wore the thobe in honor of Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha.

6:30 PM / MAY 28

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder are in San Antonio to face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals.

Oklahoma City:

  • PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
    • SGA had his highest-scoring game of the series in Game 5, dropping 32 points while going 16-of-17 at the free throw line. With De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper recovering from injuries, he’s had more opportunities to attack in the lane. We’ll see if Carter Bryant, who’s been an irritant for SGA, earns additional time tonight.
  • SG Luguentz Dort
    • Dort’s -45 in this series — by far the lowest on the team — which opens minutes for Alex Caruso, who’s been stellar, and a team-high +42. 
  • SF Jalen Williams
    • If J-Dub plays, look for the Spurs to test him off the bounce. He’ll need to get his legs under him quickly as the Thunder seek to play on into June.
  • PF Chet Holmgren
    • Holmgren dunked on Victor Wembanyama 1.5 times in Game 5 (one was ruled to have occurred after the shot clock expired). That’s a win for the Minnesota native, who dropped 16 points and 11 rebounds as he continued his battles with Wemby.
  • C Isaiah Hartenstein
    • Can the Spurs pull Hartenstein away from the rim? Wemby was 0-for-5 from 3-point range in Game 5, letting the Thunder center drop deeper into the paint. It’d be surprising, but I could see Kelly Olynyk getting a nod over Luke Kornet tonight to see if they can stretch him out.

San Antonio:

  • PG De’Aaron Fox
    • Fox hasn’t had a particularly good game in this series so far as he recovers from an ankle injury. With their season on the line, the Spurs could use some heroics from their closer.
  • SG Stephon Castle
    • Castle looked frustrated by the end of Game 5. He’s been a warrior in this series, but has to resist the temptation to try to do too much defensively. His intensity reminds me of Rajon Rondo or Marcus Smart — he’s always competing, but it can be overwhelming at times.
  • SF Devin Vassell
    • Vassell’s largely been defended by SGA in his series, who’s held him to 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting over 103.1 partial possessions. A hot shooting night could change that.
  • PF Julian Champagnie
    • Champagnie came out firing in Game 5, scoring 17 first-quarter points, but only had five after that. Every 3-pointer the Spurs hit is precious, especially when Carter Bryant and Luke Kornet get minutes off the bench.
  • C Victor Wembanyama
    • It’s the biggest game of The Alien’s career so far. He looked human in Game 5 — the Thunder may be wearing him down. Game 1 was a masterpiece, though. Does he have the legs for another such effort?

6:05 PM / MAY 28

Shai’s a star

The two-time Kia MVP has a chance to join Michael Jordan (4x) and LeBron James as the only players to win that honor and Finals MVP in the same season on two occasions.

That is, if the Thunder can defeat the Spurs and advance.

5:15 PM / MAY 28

Thursday’s injury report

Ajay Mitchell is out with a right calf strain for the Thunder, while Jalen Williams is questionable with a left hamstring strain. Thomas Sorber remains out while recovering from surgery on his right ACL.

2:37 PM / MAY 28

The Wemby factor

The Spurs will need an aggressive Wemby if they want to keep their season alive and force a Game 7:

  • In 2 wins: 37.0 PPG, 16.0 RPG, 23.5 FGA, 53.2 FG%
  • In 3 losses: 22.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 15.3 FGA, 43.5 FG%

1:18 PM / MAY 28

West Finals parity

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander defended by Stephon Castle

Entering tonight, the Thunder own a nine-point edge (569-560) over the Spurs, the slimmest margin through five games of a West Finals since Lakers vs. Nuggets in 2009.

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