The basketball world has been anticipating the San Antonio Spurs to fulfill the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder within the Western Convention Finals. Each groups took care of enterprise within the first two rounds to face off in some of the extremely anticipated matchups in latest reminiscence.
For the primary time within the playoffs, the Spurs will begin the collection on the highway. San Antonio break up their video games in OKC this 12 months. The Spurs had been 4-1 in opposition to the Thunder within the common season. You’ll be able to primarily throw out the regular-season matchups between these two groups, as most of them weren’t performed at full well being, and each groups are so much higher because the final time they performed one another. The Thunder are undefeated within the playoffs to date, and the Spurs have been at one other degree since February.
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San Antonio has performed properly on the highway within the playoffs, going 4-1. Stealing a recreation in Oklahoma Metropolis goes to be a tall process, however this group has stepped as much as each event to date this postseason. Successful Sport One on this collection could be a significant feat and would sign that the Spurs can critically win this collection.
San Antonio Spurs (0-0) vs. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (0-0)
Might 18th, 2026 | 7:30 PM CT
Watch: NBC / Peacock | Pay attention: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: De’Aaron Fox – Questionable (ankle), Luke Kornet – Questionable (foot)
Thunder Accidents: Thomas Sorber – Out (knee)
What to observe for:
Limiting turnovers
The Thunder’s greatest offense is their protection. When OKC can flip groups over, they get numerous open photographs in transition. They compelled 16.7 turnovers within the common season. They’re wonderful at taking part in bodily on the level of assault and entering into passing lanes to drive steals. They’ll wish to do that so much in opposition to San Antonio, as a result of scoring within the half-court in opposition to Victor Wembanyama will probably be troublesome. Producing simple appears to be like in transition will probably be a precedence for OKC.
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The Spurs might be inclined to turnovers, primarily when going through excessive physicality on the perimeter. Stephon Fortress and Victor Wembanyama can do a bit an excessive amount of with the ball when pressured, resulting in turnovers on the opposite finish. Once they beat OKC within the common season, the Spurs saved the turnovers low. They’ll must handle the ball to present themselves an opportunity to win this collection.
Three-point capturing
The recipe for beating the Thunder within the common season was not letting them get simple appears to be like inside and forcing a few of their so-so shooters to beat you from deep. If Alex Caruso or Lu Dort took a evenly contested three, that was a win for the Spurs. If these gamers are hitting photographs, protection turns into a lot more durable for the Spurs. Alternatively, San Antonio might want to hit their three-point photographs to maintain OKC sincere. The Thunder will direct numerous defensive consideration to Wembanyama in half-court offense. Guys like Julian Champagnie and Devin Vassell can present some reduction in the event that they hit photographs.
Wemby vs. Chet
It’s the rivalry that everybody says isn’t a rivalry. Wembanyama needs to destroy Chet Holmgren each time he steps on the basketball court docket. Anybody watching can perceive that, it doesn’t matter what they are saying off the court docket. That is the best stakes competitors Wembanyama has confronted Holmgren in since FIBA play. It’s going to be fascinating to see how that chip on Wembanyama’s shoulder manifests itself on this collection.