Defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to meet Spurs in Western Conference finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs will open the Western Conference finals on Monday, May 18, after the NBA posted the best-of-seven schedule for the series. Oklahoma City enters as the defending champion and the West’s top seed, while San Antonio advanced as the No. 2 seed to set up a matchup that had been widely anticipated through the regular season and playoffs. NBA.com lists Game 1 for 8:30 p.m. Eastern in Oklahoma City, with NBC and Peacock carrying the broadcast. The series is tied 0-0 entering Monday night. ### When does the series start, and where is Game 1? Game 1 is scheduled for Monday, May 18, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern at Oklahoma City’s home floor, according to the NBA playoff schedule. NBA.com’s Western Conference finals page lists the Thunder with home-court advantage and shows NBC and Peacock as the television outlets for the opener. The Oklahoman also published the series schedule on May 15, listing Game 1 and the rest of the television windows for the matchup. (nba.com) CBS Sports, in a preview published Sunday, called the series the most anticipated matchup of the 2026 playoffs and noted that it begins Monday. ### What does the rest of the Western Conference finals schedule look like? NBA.com lists Game 2 for Wednesday, May 20, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern, again in Oklahoma City. Game 3 is set for Friday, May 22, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern in San Antonio, and Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. If the series goes longer, the NBA schedule shows Game 5 on Tuesday, May 26, in Oklahoma City, Game 6 on Thursday, May 28, in San Antonio, and Game 7 on Saturday, May 30, in Oklahoma City. (oklahoman.com) NBA.com lists Games 5 through 7 as “if necessary.” ### How did Oklahoma City and San Antonio get here? Oklahoma City reached the conference finals for the second straight season, according to prior coverage by The Oklahoman, after advancing earlier in the bracket and waiting on the outcome of the Spurs-Timberwolves semifinal. (nba.com) The Thunder had already secured their place before San Antonio closed out its series. San Antonio moved on to face Oklahoma City after beating Minnesota in the second round, setting the bracket for the West finals. CBS Sports’ playoff bracket update published May 16 said the Western Conference finals were set once the Spurs advanced. ### Which players are at the center of the matchup? NBA.com’s series page lists Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as Oklahoma City’s scoring leader entering the conference finals at 29.1 points per game, along with 7.1 assists per game. (oklahoman.com) The same page lists Victor Wembanyama as San Antonio’s leading scorer at 20.3 points per game and top rebounder at 10.7 per game. (cbssports.com) CBS Sports’ preview published Sunday said Gilgeous-Alexander and Wembanyama, the stars of the two teams, are both finalists for the 2025-26 MVP award. CBS said the award is due to be handed out one day before the series begins. ### Where can readers find the latest game details? NBA.com has posted the official Western Conference finals series page and said its playoff schedule page will be updated each time postseason scheduling is officially announced. (nba.com) Local coverage in The Oklahoman also lists game dates, tip times and television details for Oklahoma City readers. Monday, May 18, is the next key date in the series, with Oklahoma City hosting San Antonio in Game 1 at 8:30 p.m. (cbssports.com) Eastern. Game 2 is scheduled for May 20 before the series shifts to San Antonio for Game 3 on May 22. (nba.com)