Spurs Dethrone Thunder in Game 7: How Depth, Defense, and Champagnie’s Shooting Sent San Antonio to the 2026 NBA Finals

Key Performances: A Total Team Effort

Victor Wembanyama: The Emotional Engine

Wembanyama’s final stat line of 22 points and 7 rebounds doesn’t fully capture his impact. He was the gravitational center of the entire offense, drawing constant double-teams that created open looks for his teammates. The NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year, who famously said “We ain’t done nothing yet” after forcing Game 7, anchored the defense and earned the Magic Johnson Trophy as the Western Conference Finals MVP .

Julian Champagnie: The X-Factor

If Wembanyama was the sun the Spurs’ offense orbited, Champagnie was the orbiting body that burned the Thunder. He poured in 20 points, with 18 of them coming on six three-pointers . When Wembanyama went to the bench with his fifth foul with just under seven minutes left and the Spurs clinging to a 97-91 lead, it was Champagnie’s sixth triple that stretched the lead and silenced the Oklahoma City crowd . His performance was a testament to the Spurs’ depth and a direct punishment of the Thunder’s defensive strategy.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A Lone Hand

In a losing effort, the league’s two-time MVP was spectacular, scoring 35 points on an efficient 12-of-21 shooting to go with 9 assists. He said it was the most like himself he’d felt in the series . However, a lack of support from his co-stars was the Thunder’s undoing. Starters Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Lu Dort combined for just 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting, with Holmgren taking only two shots . The Thunder were also without key wing Jalen Williams for the series decider, which slowed their offensive rhythm .

The Postgame Emotions: A Dream Acknowledged

The magnitude of the moment was written all over Victor Wembanyama’s face. As the final horn sounded, he hunched over multiple times before collapsing into a hug with teammate Stephon Castle, overcome by the weight of the achievement .

“This feeling, I can’t explain it. It’s so powerful,” Wembanyama said after the game . He later reflected on the deeper meaning, adding, “Winning the Larry O’Brien. It’s a childhood dream and having a real shot at it, a tangible chance at realizing a dream, it’s a lifetime chance” . Despite the celebration, his competitive fire was already burning for the next challenge, stating bluntly, “We want four more. We’re not done” .

For the Thunder, the end was painful but met with perspective. Head coach Mark Daigneault emphasized resilience in the face of a crushing loss. “You have to grow from every experience, including the tough ones,” he said. “And it’s the NBA — there are tough ones. We can also be really disappointed. … There’s nobody that we don’t think we can beat, respectfully” .