The future of the NBA might already be here.
For the first time since 2014, the San Antonio Spurs are heading to the NBA Finals after knocking off the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in a winner-take-all Game 7 on the road. And just like many expected, the face of this new Spurs era is none other than Victor Wembanyama.
After the final buzzer sounded, Wembanyama’s emotions poured out. The 22-year-old superstar screamed, cried, and soaked in the moment as San Antonio completed one of the toughest playoff runs in recent memory. Just two years into his NBA career, he has already led the Spurs back to basketball’s biggest stage.
What makes this Spurs team so dangerous is that it isn’t just about Wembanyama.
Yes, he was brilliant throughout the Western Conference Finals and finished Game 7 with 22 points and seven rebounds. But San Antonio won because everyone embraced their role. Julian Champagnie knocked down six three-pointers and scored 20 points. Stephon Castle added 16. De’Aaron Fox chipped in 15. Dylan Harper, Devin Vassell, and Keldon Johnson all provided valuable contributions. Seven Spurs players scored in double figures, showcasing the depth that has become their identity.
That balance was the difference against a Thunder team that entered the postseason as the defending NBA champions and one of the league’s most talented rosters. Oklahoma City had home-court advantage, the reigning MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the experience of winning it all. None of it mattered.
The Spurs never panicked throughout the series. After falling behind multiple times, they kept responding. Wembanyama delivered when it mattered most, but the supporting cast continuously stepped up around him. That’s what championship-caliber teams do.
The scary part for the rest of the league? Wembanyama is only 22 years old.
The Spurs finished the regular season with 62 wins, ended a lengthy playoff drought, captured the Southwest Division, and now find themselves four wins away from another championship. Most of their core players are still 25 years old or younger, meaning this may be just the beginning of a new San Antonio dynasty.
Now comes the final challenge: the New York Knicks. The Knicks are making their first Finals appearance since 1999, while the Spurs are seeking their first title since 2014. It’s a matchup loaded with history, star power, and storylines.
For years, NBA fans wondered when Wembanyama would take over the league. The answer might be right now.
