Thunder vs. Spurs predictions: Expert picks for what should be a Western Conference finals classic
The 2026 Western Conference finals feature the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the upstart San Antonio Spurs, led by MVP finalists Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama. The Thunder enter as favorites after a dominant 8-0 playoff run, while the Spurs won four of five regular-season matchups. Experts are split, but most predict a hard-fought series going to seven games.
- ▪The Thunder are 8-0 in the 2026 playoffs and considered favorites to win the series.
- ▪Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are both finalists for the 2025-26 MVP award.
- ▪The Spurs defeated the Thunder in four of their five regular-season meetings.
- ▪Jalen Williams is expected to return for the Thunder, bolstering their lineup for the series.
- ▪Most expert predictions favor the Thunder to win the series in seven games.
4 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 29 hours. Coverage spans 2 points on the political spectrum — 2 centre, 1 right.
- ▪ Spurs vs. Thunder series preview: Western Conference Finals picks, odds, bets — New York Post
- ▪ Western Conference Finals Predictions: Game by Game Picks for Spurs vs Thunder — Yahoo Sports
- ▪ Spurs win to move into Western Conference finals — BBC Sport
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| Original publisher | CBS Sports |
| Canonical URL | https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/thunder-spurs-predictions-expert-picks-western-conference-finals/ |
| Publication time | Sun, 17 May 2026 12:13:35 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-17T12:22:13.120Z |
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Thunder vs. Spurs predictions: Expert picks for what should be a Western Conference finals classic The most anticipated series in the 2026 NBA playoffs has arrived as the Thunder and Spurs meet for a Western Conference showdown By Brad Botkin May 16, 2026 at 12:40 pm ET • 5 min read Getty Images The most anticipated matchup of the 2026 NBA playoffs has arrived. The reigning champion Thunder will go up against the upstart Spurs in the Western Conference finals. The best-of-seven series begins on Monday, one day after the 2025-26 MVP award is handed out. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama, the biggest stars on the Thunder and Spurs, are both finalists. One of them could very well be handed a trophy at the beginning of the series.
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