Spurs vs. Thunder score, live updates, how to watch: NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, DPOY Victor Wembanyama face off in Game 1

With Dylan Harper changing the injured De’Aaron Fox, the Spurs have the youngest beginning lineup in convention finals historical past tonight. So far, it’s led San Antonio to a 36-29 second-quarter lead.

After digging an 11-2 deficit, OKC went on a 9-0 run and took a 22-19 lead late in the primary. And the sport will go into the second quarter tied at 27 after an entertaining first.

Alex Caruso and Jalen Williams have 10 factors every for OKC. Stephon Castle leads San Antonio with 11, whereas Wemby has six factors and 5 rebounds.

A scorching begin to essentially the most anticipated collection of the playoffs.

The Thunder are struggling early, however Alex Caruso is singlehandedly retaining them afloat.

He has all seven Thunder factors because the Spurs have jumped out to a 12-7 lead. And now he’s guarding Wemby, giving up practically a foot in top benefit in the method.

No proble for Caruso, who simply picked off a move meant for Wemby for a transition layup on the opposite finish.

The Spurs are off to a 3-of-9 begin from the sphere, however they’re dominating the ball. At the primary TV timeout, San Antonio already has a 9-2 rebounding edge and an 11-3 lead.

The Thunder began 0-for-4 from the ground because the Spurs jumped out to a 7-0 lead. And Thunder followers don’t sit down till the primary OKC bucket.

Alex Caruso gave them a reprieve with a 3-pointer on the 8:45 mark for the primary Thunder factors of the sport.

So far, so good for the Spurs. Stephon Castle opened the sport with a 3. Victor Wembanyama then drew a foul on a leap shot for a pair of free throws and adopted that up with a putback layup for a 7-0 San Antonio lead.

begin for a Spurs crew enjoying with out place to begin guard De’Aaron Fox.

Conference finals matchups don’t get a lot greater than this. We’re moments away from tip of essentially the most anticipated collection of the playoffs. Let’s go.

Speaking of MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander … He was simply awarded his trophy from commissioner Adam Silver prior to Game 1 introductions. This is formally a behavior for the now two-time NBA MVP.

With De’Aaron Fox out, Dylan Harper will begin in the San Antonio backcourt for the most important sport but of his rookie season.

What a spot for the standout guard with MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander staring again at him from the Thunder backcourt and a visit to the NBA Finals at stake.

Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Spurs and Thunder is about to tip off in quarter-hour!

The sport will air on NBC and stream on Peacock.

The Thunder have been the highest crew in the NBA this season, ending the common season with a 64-18 report.

The Spurs have been the second-best crew in the league, with a 62-20 regular-season report.

Their matchup in the 2026 Western Conference Finals marks the primary time since 1998 that there was an NBA playoff collection between two groups that had a minimum of 62 regular-season wins.

In 1998, the Chicago Bulls met the Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals. Both groups went 62-20 throughout the common season that yr.

All issues thought of, nonetheless, this is what the basketball world dreamed of when the Spurs announced themselves to the world in Vegas practically six months in the past. The audacity and gall to not solely meet the reigning champions at their stage however exceed it — even when momentarily — supplied a collision course roadmap that leads us to the current day. The Western Conference finals — with Thunder star Jalen Williams seemingly back in the fold — will likely be a take a look at not like some other for the Spurs.

That they’ve received 4 of 5 conferences this season means every little thing and nothing. Both sides have made their ideas and emotions clear in regards to the different; the appreciation for moral hoops, how award races needs to be outlined and the place the true benefits lie. But San Antonio has constructed a model on perception, and solely 4 wins separate it from the Finals.

“Of course, we’re confident,” Wembanyama stated of one other date with basketball’s greatest. “But we need to keep the right confidence level. Right now, I’m not even thinking about it, I’m just thinking about recovering. We’ll see about it in the next couple of days, but it’s gonna be the same as usual — prepare, take care of your body, scout, watch the film and focus.”

Read more on why the Spurs are looking ready for their showdown with the league’s defending champions.

The Spurs will likely be with out De’Aaron Fox tonight towards the Thunder due to his proper ankle damage. The hope, although, is that he can return on Wednesday night time.

San Antonio Spurs heart Victor Wembanyama made historical past final week.

With 12 blocks in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals towards the Minnesota Timberwolves, the 22-year-old broke the official NBA report for many blocked photographs in a playoff sport.

Wemby’s block celebration got here in a shedding effort, however the crew’s official social media account made positive to shout out the exceptional efficiency, posting a listing of his Game 1 achievements, main with the large one: “Most blocks ever in an NBA Playoffs game.”

From social media to nationwide TV airwaves, Wembanyama’s historic defensive outing was a significant speaking level in NBA circles. The 7-foot-4 heart had executed one thing no different participant had executed earlier than.

There’s only one drawback.

Credible proof is mounting that Wilt Chamberlain blocked far more photographs in an NBA playoff sport. There are documented stories that he bested Wembanyama’s “official record” a number of occasions.

Read more.

During the common season, the Spurs have been 14th in 3s tried (37.9) and fifteenth in conversion fee (35.9%). In the playoffs, their frequency has dipped (32.5), however their effectivity has jumped (38.4%, third-best). This is in half due to Castle’s enchancment, in addition to the presence of Julian Champagnie.

The Thunder make the most of a really compact defensive shell, retaining all 5 gamers shut to each other to defend the rim, funnel motion towards the center and trigger chaos. What that does, as a result of no scheme is foolproof, is go away the corners uncovered. Second Spectrum defines “open” photographs as ones the place the closest defender is four-to-six toes away; Oklahoma City permits the third-most such shots per game, however as a result of opponents are taking pictures simply 35.4% on these, the gamble pays off extra occasions than not. The Spurs, tied with the Knicks, led the league in corner 3s throughout the common season and shot practically 40%, good for eighth amongst all groups. In the playoffs, nonetheless, these numbers have plummeted, taking much less nook 3s and converting only 33% of them, which is fourth-worst amongst playoff groups.

Getting extra manufacturing out of Devin Vassell is an effective begin, however the Spurs will want to clear that up or else Oklahoma City will hammer them in the half-court.

READ MORE: Spurs-Thunder preview

The San Antonio Spurs chosen Rutgers rookie Dylan Harper with the second general decide in the 2025 NBA Draft … and after a comparatively quiet common season, averaging 11.8 factors, 3.4 rebounds and three.9 assists per sport, he’s emerged as a key contributor in the postseason.

Through 11 playoff video games, Harper is taking pictures 56.6% from the sphere, with two video games of 24-plus factors and two double-doubles. Harper had simply two 24-point efforts and not using a single double-double in the 2025-26 common season as a rookie.

He’s tied with Timberwolves’ Naz Reid to lead all gamers with 151 factors off the bench this postseason, whereas having performed 46 fewer minutes. 😳 Will he stick with it in Game 1?

NBA followers are all getting the collection they have been hoping for: A Western Conference finals collision between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs.

These groups make up the NBA’s budding preeminent rivalry and already performed 5 occasions in the common season — one further sport due to an NBA Cup semifinal — and are set for a minimum of one other 4.

Here’s considered one of my favourite participant prop bets for Game 1:

Jalen Williams over 19.5 factors + assists

JDub is wholesome! Despite getting damage in Game 2 of the Round 1 collection towards the Phoenix Suns, (*1*). In reality, the extended absence may very well be considered as precautionary. When Williams obtained damage, he saved himself in the sport and signaled to the bench he was OK, operating up and down the courtroom just a few occasions, earlier than in the end popping out.

I count on him to begin and play a totally regular minutes distribution and rotation. This season he averaged 22.6 factors mixed with assists and 21.8 in the matchups towards San Antonio. With Stephon Castle possible face-guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, I count on Williams to be leaned on as a playmaker for his crew.

The Spurs have two gamers who’re listed as questionable for the collection opener on Monday night time.

Point guard De’Aaron Fox continues to take care of proper ankle soreness, whereas heart Luke Kornet has soreness in his left foot.

Neither of the accidents brought about the gamers to miss San Antonio’s Game 6 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Fox performed 24 minutes in the win over Minnesota and completed with 21 factors, 4 rebounds and 9 assists. He additionally went 3 of three from past the arc in the sport.

Kornet got here off the bench, however nonetheless performed 14 minutes. He had six factors and 6 rebounds.

The Thunder have a clear invoice of well being for the sport.

The Thunder and the Spurs will start a seven-game collection to decide the Western Conference’s consultant in the 2026 NBA Finals on Monday.

The collection will begin in Oklahoma City for the primary two video games, after which go to San Antonio for the second two. After that, the collection will alternate areas so long as video games are wanted till a crew wins 4 video games.

These groups met 5 occasions throughout the common season thanks to an additional matchup in the 2026 NBA Cup. The Spurs received 4 of the 5 video games. The lone sport the Thunder received got here on January 13, when Oklahoma City beat San Antonio 119-98, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 34 factors.