Credited from: LEMONDE
The San Antonio Spurs have advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014, overcoming the Oklahoma City Thunder with a final score of 111-103 in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals. Victor Wembanyama led the charge with 22 points and seven rebounds, showcasing his dominance on the court. The Spurs captured the best-of-seven series 4-3, setting the stage for a championship showdown against the New York Knicks starting Wednesday in San Antonio, according to latimes, reuters, and aljazeera.
In a game that saw various momentum shifts, Julian Champagnie contributed significantly with 20 points, including six three-pointers, while Stephon Castle added 16 points. The Spurs maintained a lead throughout most of the contest, despite the Thunder's efforts to close the gap, reports lemonde and npr.
Wembanyama expressed the emotional weight of the moment, stating, “This feeling, I can’t explain it, it’s so powerful.” He emphasized the team's determination, expressing, “We want four more. We’re not done,” a sentiment echoed by Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, who highlighted the team’s strong execution amidst pressure. “Winning an NBA championship is very hard in itself to do one time,” said Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who led his team with 35 points, acknowledging the challenge of repeating success, according to latimes, reuters, and aljazeera.
The game’s pivotal moment came when Spurs' Luke Kornet blocked a crucial fast-break attempt by the Thunder, preserving their lead. This was a display of the defensive prowess that characterized the Spurs' performance throughout the series. With this victory, the Spurs secured eight wins in their twelve matchups against the Thunder this season, further proving their dominance in this playoff series, according to lemonde and npr.