Spurs Edge Thunder in Series Comeback, Face Knicks in NBA Finals

Following a challenging series, the San Antonio Spurs overcame a 3-2 deficit to secure a Game 7 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Spurs triumphed 111-103 at the Paycom Center on Saturday night. Their wins in Games 1, 4, 6, and 7 showcased their resilience, particularly with two victories achieved on the road. Impressively, the Spurs restricted the Thunder to their lowest offensive output in the postseason during the series’ three concluding matches.

Victor Wembanyama was pivotal from the outset, delivering an outstanding performance with 41 points and 24 rebounds in the series opener. Notably, he amassed 19 blocks across the series, marking the most in 21 years for a playoff series. De’Aaron Fox also contributed significantly as Wembanyama’s co-star. In the decisive Game 7, Fox maintained his poise, scoring 15 points, and adding five assists and three steals.

This win propels the Spurs to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014. They will face the New York Knicks, who completed a clean sweep in the Eastern Conference Finals, marking their first Finals appearance in 27 years. Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3, in San Antonio.

The spotlight shifted briefly from the Spurs’ victory to another NBA team, the Sacramento Kings, who missed the playoffs. With De’Aaron Fox now playing for San Antonio, his contributions have been crucial to reaching the Finals. Meanwhile, the Knicks are under the leadership of Mike Brown. Brown was dismissed by Sacramento in December 2024 despite past successes, including leading the Kings back to the playoffs and earning NBA Coach of the Year honors.

Fox and Brown now face each other in the Finals. In stark contrast, the Kings confront another unsuccessful season. Brown’s tenure in Sacramento was noteworthy. He ended a 17-year playoff absence during his first season by leading the Kings to 48 wins and securing a No. 3 seed in the West, winning Coach of the Year honors. Even after repeating his success the following year, Sacramento chose to terminate his contract shortly after extending it.

Fox’s departure followed a similar disappointing narrative. After Sacramento’s failure to make the playoffs in 2024, Fox declined a $165 million extension and joined the Spurs at the trade deadline. He then secured a four-year, $229 million max contract extension with San Antonio.

The Kings’ history of mishaps stretches back decades. The 2002 Western Conference Finals saw them narrowly miss an NBA Finals appearance despite a strong team featuring Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic, and Doug Christie. The Lakers, led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, thwarted Sacramento in a controversial Game 6 and solidified their win in Game 7, resulting in a downward spiral for the Kings.

In 2011, the Kings bypassed promising talents such as Klay Thompson and Kawhi Leonard, selecting Jimmer Fredette instead. Later, in 2018, they passed on Luka Doncic, opting for Marvin Bagley III. Reflecting on their more successful drafts, Sacramento selected Fox in 2017 and Tyrese Haliburton in 2020, but neither currently plays for the franchise. Haliburton was traded to Indiana in 2022, helping the Pacers reach the Finals last year.

These events emphasize that successful teams require astute front office decisions and a degree of fortune. The Kings have suffered a shortage of both, casting doubt on their ability to contend for a championship. Consequently, they now face potential recognition as the NBA’s most ‘cursed’ franchise.