After 12 years, back in the Finals! Wembanyama wins Western Conference Finals MVP as Spurs beat Thunder 4-3, will face Knicks for the title

On May 31, Beijing time, in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA playoffs, the Spurs beat the Thunder 111-103 on the road, taking the series 4-3 to reach the Finals. Wembanyama earned the Western Conference Finals MVP with his stellar play. The Spurs last made the Finals in the 2013-14 season, where they defeated the Heat 4-1 to claim the title. After a 12-year wait, the Spurs are finally headed back to the Finals, where they will face the Knicks for the championship.

For the Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 35 points, 9 assists, and 3 steals; Cason Wallace posted 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists; Alex Caruso added 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists; Jared McCain scored 12 points; and Jalen Williams contributed 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. For the Spurs: Victor Wembanyama had 22 points and 7 rebounds; Julian Champagnie recorded 20 points and 6 rebounds; Stephon Castle put up 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists; De'Aaron Fox had 15 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals; Ron Harper Jr. notched 12 points and 7 rebounds; Devin Vassell added 11 points and 6 rebounds; and Keldon Johnson scored 11 points.

In the first quarter, Wembanyama scored inside, Vassell and Castle combined for buckets, and Wembanyama threw down a powerful dunk. Fox and Champagnie hit consecutive three-pointers, and Castle added a putback dunk, giving the Spurs an 18-8 start. Vassell knocked down another three, Castle converted an and-one, and Champagnie hit a corner three, pushing the lead to 27-13. McCain scored inside and out, Kenrich Williams muscled in a basket, and McCain added a triple, helping the Thunder close the gap. At the end of the quarter, the Spurs led 32-25.

In the second quarter, Harper hit a three, Fox scored on a floater, Wembanyama connected from beyond the arc, and Bryant's drives also proved effective, extending the Spurs' lead to 44-33. Gilgeous-Alexander showed his individual brilliance by scoring 7 straight points, Jalen Williams scored on a floater, and Alexander continued to hit mid-range jumpers. Dort nailed a three from the top of the key, and the Thunder fought back to tie the game at 49. Jalen Williams' jumper gave the Thunder the lead; but Fox hit a three, Keldon Johnson scored on a putback, and Vassell drained a mid-range jumper, allowing the Spurs to regain the advantage, leading 56-53 at halftime.

In the third quarter, both teams started in a tight battle, leveling at 63. Champagnie knocked down two threes in a row from outside, and Wembanyama also hit a triple, pushing the Spurs ahead 76-65. The Thunder struggled to score from the field but managed 9 consecutive points from free throws. Jalen Williams then hit a three to break the field-goal drought, bringing the Thunder closer again. At the end of the quarter, the Spurs led 80-77.

In the fourth quarter, Keldon Johnson sank two threes in a row from outside, Fox and Wembanyama each hit a three, and Johnson drove for another basket, giving the Spurs a 97-86 lead. Gilgeous-Alexander stepped up and scored 5 consecutive points, cutting the deficit to 97-91. Castle knocked down a jumper, Champagnie hit a three, and Harper scored on consecutive drives, pushing the Spurs' lead to 107-95. Wallace then single-handedly scored 8 straight points, keeping the Thunder's hopes alive. In the final moments, Vassell threw down a dunk, giving the Spurs a 111-103 lead and sealing the victory, as the Spurs advanced to the Finals.

Starting lineups

Thunder: Dort, Holmgren, Hartenstein, Wallace, Gilgeous-Alexander

Spurs: Vassell, Champagnie, Wembanyama, Castle, Fox