The NBA Playoffs are now just one game away from determining who will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals. After the Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers, attention shifted to a pivotal Game 6 in the Western Conference Finals.
The Oklahoma City Thunder had an opportunity to close out the series on the road against the San Antonio Spurs. Not only did they fail to get the job done, but they were also thoroughly outplayed. The Spurs embraced a physical style from the opening tip and never backed down, setting the tone throughout the night.
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Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio onto the floor with a clear mission: intimidate the defending champions. The Spurs delivered a relentless performance that repeatedly made Oklahoma City look overmatched.
May 28, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain (3) dribbles the ball against San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) in the second half during game six of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Their physical approach paid off. San Antonio secured the victory while holding the Thunder to just 37% shooting from the field and 25% from three-point range. Oklahoma City never found an offensive rhythm.
Wembanyama anchored the effort with three blocks, 10 rebounds, and two steals. His performance embodied everything the Spurs wanted to accomplish defensively as they dismantled the defending champions.
The Spurs’ 27-point win was so dominant that even Skip Bayless took to X to react. Bayless sharply criticized the Thunder’s lack of competitiveness, writing, “I’m about to unleash a video on the all-time sorry and shameful performance the Oklahoma City Thunder just put on national display in Game 6.”
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The play that may have best summarized the night wasn’t a basket at all. Instead, it was a hard foul by Carter Bryant on reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
While battling for a loose ball, Bryant crashed into Gilgeous-Alexander while pursuing an offensive rebound, sending him to the floor. After facing frequent criticism from fans and media for allegedly embellishing contact, Gilgeous-Alexander had little choice but to absorb the hit on this play.
The series now heads back to Oklahoma City for a decisive Game 7. The Spurs successfully fed off their home crowd and used that energy to fuel their aggressive, physical approach.
The question now is whether they can replicate that intensity on the road and send the defending champions home.
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