NBA Playoffs: Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs beat defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to clinch finals spot | NBA News

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs defeated the defending champions in a thrilling 111-103 victory in Oklahoma City and secured a spot in the NBA Finals.

Conference Finals MVP Wembanyama scored 22 points and Julian Champagne made 18 of his 20 3-pointers as the young Spurs defied heavy odds to win a Game 7 on the road.

Stephon Castle scored 16 points and De’Aaron Fox had 15. Dylan Harper added 12, Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell each finished with 11 points for the Spurs, who are heading to their first NBA Finals since 2014.

They host the New York Knicks in Game 1 on Wednesday night (Thursday 1.30am UK time).

A huge moment came midway through the fourth, when San Antonio’s Luke Cornett blocked Oklahoma City’s Isaiah Hartenstein at the rim — denying a fast break score that would have gotten the Thunder within four.

It seemed like a last gasp for the Thunder. Cornett played six minutes, missed all three of his shot attempts and finished with just two points, but the block was an epic moment.

The win marks a remarkably quick turnaround for the Spurs, who were the Western Conference champions last season, missing the playoffs entirely, finishing third in the conference.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points and nine assists, but will be a new NBA champion for the eighth straight season. Kason Wallace had 17 points, Jared McCain and Alex Caruso each had 12 points for the Thunder.

“In October, we knew we had a chance to be very good,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “The players did what they’ve been doing all year and they met the biggest moment.”

“This feeling, I can’t explain it,” Wembanyama said. “It’s very powerful.”

“We want four more – we’re not done.”

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