Thunder to face Spurs in West finals

Oklahoma City and San Antonio open the Western Conference finals on Monday, May 18, with the top-seeded Thunder hosting the second-seeded Spurs in Game 1, according to the NBA playoff schedule. The matchup was set after Oklahoma City completed a 4-0 series win over the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio closed out Minnesota 4-2 in the other Western semifinal. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander arrives at the series after the NBA announced Sunday that he had won a second straight Kia MVP award. Victor Wembanyama leads a Spurs team that returned to the conference finals after advancing on May 16. The NBA lists Oklahoma City as the No. 1 seed and San Antonio as the No. 2 seed in the West bracket. (nba.com) The Thunder also enter the series as defending champions. NBA.com’s 2025 Finals coverage shows Oklahoma City won the 2025 title, and the league’s current playoff page refers to the Thunder as the defending champion. ### When do the Thunder and Spurs play? Game 1 is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, May 18, in Oklahoma City, with Peacock and NBC carrying the broadcast, the NBA’s West finals page shows. (nba.com) Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, also at 8:30 p.m. ET. The NBA’s series page lists Game 3 for Friday, May 22, at 8:30 p.m. ET and Game 4 for Sunday, May 24, at 8 p.m. (nba.com) ET. If needed, Games 5 through 7 are scheduled for May 26, May 28 and May 30. ### How did Oklahoma City get here? Oklahoma City reached the conference finals after going 8-0 through its first two playoff rounds, according to the NBA playoff bracket. (nba.com) The Thunder swept the Phoenix Suns 4-0 in the first round and then swept the Lakers 4-0 in the conference semifinals. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been Oklahoma City’s statistical leader entering the series. (nba.com) The NBA’s West finals page lists him at 29.1 points and 7.1 assists per game in the playoffs so far. ### How did San Antonio reach the West finals? San Antonio opened the playoffs by beating Portland 4-1 in the first round, then eliminated Minnesota 4-2 in the conference semifinals, according to the NBA bracket. (nba.com) The Spurs’ advance was reflected on the league playoff page on May 16. Victor Wembanyama enters the series as San Antonio’s listed playoff leader with 20.3 points and 10.7 rebounds per game, according to the NBA’s West finals page. (nba.com) NBA.com also highlighted Stephon Castle’s 32 points and 11 rebounds in the Spurs’ Game 6 win over Minnesota. ### Why is Gilgeous-Alexander part of the buildup? The NBA said Sunday that Gilgeous-Alexander became one of 14 players to win the MVP award in back-to-back seasons. (nba.com) NBA.com said he won the award after another season that put him in “elite company,” and a separate league story said he led the NBA with 175 clutch points. (nba.com) His award landed one day before the conference finals opener. That timing gives Oklahoma City the start of the series with the reigning MVP and reigning champion on its home floor. ### What comes after the West finals? The NBA’s 2026 playoff page lists the NBA Finals as beginning on June 3 at 5:30 p.m. Pacific time on ABC. (nba.com) The Eastern Conference finals matchup is Cleveland against New York, according to the same bracket page. Monday’s opener is the next scheduled step in the West bracket. The league’s series page lists a potential Game 7 between San Antonio and Oklahoma City for Saturday, May 30, before the Finals begin on June 3. (nba.com 1) (nba.com 2) (nba.com 3)