Thunder eliminated, Shai: “No excuses, we have to get better”

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s playoff run came to an end in the toughest way possible: a Game 7 loss at home, 111-103 against the San Antonio Spurs, with a trip to the NBA Finals slipping away. Celebrating on the Paycom Center floor was Victor Wembanyama’s team, the driving force behind a series that reshaped the balance of power in the Western Conference.

A series that, statistically speaking, tells a much bigger story than a single game: the Spurs won four of the five regular-season meetings, eliminated Oklahoma City from the NBA Cup, and then knocked them out in the Western Conference Finals. A dominance built over time, not just in one night.

Injuries and shortened rotations: the real story of the series

Oklahoma City entered the decisive matchup after a 64-18 season, tied for the NBA’s best record alongside their rivals (62-20), but with a roster depleted at the most important stage of the year.

Jalen Williams’ injury proved costly: after suffering a hamstring issue, he played only limited minutes throughout the rest of the series and was unavailable for Game 7. The situation was further complicated by the absence of Ajay Mitchell, sidelined with a calf strain just as he was becoming a key contributor.

With fewer offensive creators available, the burden fell heavily on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was forced to operate against a defense specifically designed to slow him down.

They’re young, talented, well coached, they play the right way, and they play together. They have everything it takes to win a championship

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

And when reflecting on his own team:

From here on out, we have to take it one day at a time. Improve over the summer and become a better team than we were this year and the year before

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

A philosophy that has become something of an internal mantra: no shortcuts, just growth.

Holmgren Neutralized by Wembanyama

There’s another statistic that tells the story of this series better than almost anything else: Chet Holmgren had converted 37 of his first 38 shots in the paint during the opening two playoff rounds, but against Victor Wembanyama, everything changed. In Game 7 he finished with just 4 points and 4 rebounds in 33 minutes, attempting only two field goals. His final shot came with nearly three quarters still left to play.

The numbers highlight how unusual such a performance is in a high-level environment, especially in a Game 7 featuring players selected to an All-NBA Team that same season.

Fewest points scored in a Game 7 by a player named to an All-NBA Team that season over the last 50 years (per Basketball Reference):

• Jason Kidd – 0 points (2004)
• Chet Holmgren – 4 points (today)
• Baron Davis – 5 points (2004)
• Ben Wallace – 6 points (2006)
• John Stockton – 6 points (1994)

A statistic that places Holmgren’s outing among a very small group of unusual performances, on nights when pressure and circumstances affected even established All-NBA stars.

Head coach Mark Daigneault attempted to defend his big man after the game:

He impacted the game even without the numbers. We weren’t significantly outplayed while he was on the floor

Mark Daigneault

Still, the struggles against a defensive system built around Wembanyama’s presence were impossible to ignore.

Spurs more complete, Thunder left searching for details

In the end, the difference came down to depth and consistency. The Thunder stayed competitive thanks in part to role-player performances from Alex Caruso, but their poor shooting in Game 7 proved costly in the decisive moments.

It’s hard to win a championship, let alone repeat – and you always need a little bit of luck

Alex Caruso

On the other side, the Spurs looked like the more complete team: elite defense, strong possession management, and a clear identity built around their young core.

I still think we had enough to get it done. We just didn’t do it in the most important game

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

For Oklahoma City, the season still ends as an overwhelmingly successful one: the league’s best record, steady growth, and the feeling that they remain among the NBA’s future contenders. But it also ends with the realization that making the final leap requires health and continuity as much as talent.

We’re proud of what we accomplished, but this is also one of those losses you have to learn from

Mark Daigneault

The final message is already clear: no shortcuts, no excuses. Just one goal for the summer – come back stronger.