Spurs forced a Game 7 — but Thunder own the moment at home originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The San Antonio Spurs forced Game 7 in the Western Conference Finals as they defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder, 118-91. While the momentum is with Victor Wembanyama & Co., there is one record that will make them nervous at Paycom Center.
The Thunder are unbeatable when it comes to Game 7 at home. Since 2008, there have been four such games, and on all occasions, the Thunder has managed to hold down the fort.
They won Game 7 in the 2011 Western Conference Semifinals and 2014 first-round Game 7 against the Memphis Grizzlies. Last season, there were two such occasions: Game 7 of the 2025 West semifinals vs. the Denver Nuggets and Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals vs. the Indiana Pacers. Both times, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Co. did the job.
The recent two victories forming this trend are more significant since the core group of Thunder is still very much the same, including Chet Holmgren, SGA, Lu Dort and Jalen Williams.
MORE: One stat proves Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t Thunder’s MVP vs. Spurs
Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander do it again for Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the difference maker in both of those Game 7s last season.
In the West semifinals against Nikola Jokic & Co., SGA exploded for 35 points, four assists and three rebounds in a blowout 125-93 victory. Meanwhile, in the NBA Finals against the Pacers, he had a double-double with 29 points and 12 rebounds, along with five rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Combined in those two home Game 7s, the Thunder guard averaged 32 points, eight assists and four rebounds per game.
Once again, the responsibility rests on SGA’s shoulders, who had a disappointing performance in Game 6, finishing with just 15 points on 6-18 shooting, including 0-5 from beyond the arc. He only played 28 minutes for -28 (+/-) rating.
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- Not Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, Thunder’s unexpected X-factor is fueling their playoff run
- Victor Wembanyama leaves Shai Gilgeous-Alexander searching for answers
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