Victor Wembanyama moved one step closer to fulfilling his NBA dream after inspiring the San Antonio Spurs to a 111-103 victory over defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals.
The 22-year-old French superstar delivered another influential performance with 22 points and seven rebounds as San Antonio completed a 4-3 series triumph and booked their place in the NBA Finals for the first time since the Tim Duncan era.
The Spurs will now face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, with Game 1 set to take place in San Antonio on Wednesday.
Wembanyama, who was named Western Conference Finals MVP, struggled to contain his emotions after the final buzzer. The reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year laughed, cried and embraced teammates as the reality of reaching his first NBA Finals sank in.
“Though we’re still hungry for one more, this feeling is so powerful,” Wembanyama said. “We want four more. We’re not done.”
San Antonio received major contributions across the roster in a performance that underlined their remarkable rise this season. Julian Champagnie scored 20 points, knocking down six three-pointers, while Stephon Castle added 16 points.
Champagnie praised the team’s togetherness throughout the decisive contest.
“We were passing the ball and playing as a team,” he said. “When you’ve got the greatest player in the world, things happen.”
The Thunder entered the game hoping to defend their championship but were once again heavily reliant on NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with a game-high 35 points. Oklahoma City also missed the presence of injured forward Jalen Williams, whose absence was felt at both ends of the floor.
After a tightly contested first half, San Antonio took control in the third quarter before Wembanyama’s two three-pointers early in the fourth helped stretch the lead to double digits.
Even after Wembanyama was forced to the bench with foul trouble, the Spurs held firm. Key plays from Luke Kornet, Castle and Champagnie ensured Oklahoma City’s late rally fell short.
Spurs coach Mitch Johnson praised his players for ignoring questions about experience and embracing the challenge of a winner-take-all Game 7.
“Back in October we knew we had a chance to be pretty good,” Johnson said. “People talk about experience, but these guys went out and executed when it mattered most.”
The victory sets up a fascinating NBA Finals showdown against the Knicks, who defeated the Spurs in the NBA Cup final earlier this season. For Wembanyama and San Antonio, the opportunity to complete a remarkable campaign and capture the franchise’s next championship is now just four wins away.
