Support votes are tied at 7-7! ESPN experts break down the key factors of Game 7: Who will be the ultimate X-factor?

The Western Conference Finals Game 7 will be held on May 31 Beijing time. ESPN experts Kram and Golliver analyze the game, discussing the keys to success for both sides as well as the main X-factor. Additionally, in a poll of 14 ESPN experts regarding the favored team to move forward, the Spurs and Thunder each earned 7 votes.

What do the Thunder need to achieve in order to win Game 7?

Kram: Leverage playoff experience. In this postseason, the Spurs have never buckled under pressure, but the tension of a Game 7 will escalate even further. Such contests typically feature tighter officiating, more physical play, and lower overall scoring. The Thunder, having won two Game 7s last season, are well-versed in handling these circumstances.

If this young Spurs squad can upset the defending champions on the road and claim Game 7, it would be a historic feat—though not entirely out of the question.

What do the Spurs need to do to win Game 7?

Golliver: Wembanyama must keep Alexander in check, maintain hot perimeter shooting on the road, and the guards must limit turnovers while protecting the ball. However, this is no easy task: The Thunder are 6-1 at home in the 2026 playoffs, and during their championship run last season they boasted an 11-2 home record. Notably, the Thunder's sole home loss this postseason came in a double-overtime thriller against the Spurs in the first round; their two home losses last season were both buzzer-beating defeats.

With the chance to host Game 7, the Thunder never let their intensity drop during the regular season despite multiple key injuries. Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson can remind his young players that they beat the Thunder in Oklahoma City during the regular season, which was one of only seven home losses for the Thunder all year.

Who is the biggest X-factor player for Game 7?

Golliver: In their two previous home victories, the Spurs maintained offensive fluidity even when Fox was off his game. But now on the road, the team must count on this veteran guard to step up.

Fox missed the first two games of the Western Conference Finals due to an ankle injury and has never been at full strength throughout the series. The two-time All-Star has played in only one Game 7 before: in the 2023 first round, he shot 5-of-19 for 16 points as his Sacramento Kings fell to the Golden State Warriors.

Kram: In the first five games of this series, after the Spurs removed Luke Kornet from the rotation, opponents were able to build large leads whenever Wembanyama sat out. However, in Game 6, Kornet played 13 minutes and posted a plus-minus of +13.

In five of the six conference finals games, the Spurs held an advantage with Wembanyama on the floor. Throughout the entire playoffs, excluding games where he left early due to injury or ejection, the Spurs have outscored opponents in 13 of 14 full games when he was on the court. If the Spurs can hold their own or even gain an edge while Wembanyama rests, victory will be virtually secured.

The specific votes from the 14 ESPN experts are displayed above, with 7 experts backing the Thunder and 7 backing the Spurs. Who do you think will win Game 7? Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments.