Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs are challenging the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock.
Enjoy the best of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google, with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news and highlights from Monday’s action.
The Spurs defeated the Thunder 125-118 in a double-overtime instant classic, as Victor Wembanyama (41 pts, 25 reb, 3 blk) and Dylan Harper (24 pts, 11 reb, 6 ast, 7 steals) made Playoff history while beating the defending champs.
Read on to learn more!
What we know about Monday’s game:
- The Spurs won the season series over the Thunder 3-1, adding an additional win in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinal.
- San Antonio was the only team with a winning record versus Oklahoma City this season.
- This is the first time two teams with 62 wins or more have played in the NBA Playoffs since the 1998 NBA Finals.
- The team that wins Game 1 of the Conference Finals has gone on to win the series 78.2% of the time in NBA history.
MAY 19, 2026 / 12:02 ET
Postgame Presser: Spurs-Thunder
LIVE: Spurs/Thunder Game 1 Postgame Presser
NBA Conference Finals presented by @Google https://t.co/uPrXzQODeJ
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2026
MAY 18, 2026 / 11:44 ET
The Spurs take Game 1
San Antonio takes the win 122-115, earning home court advantage behind a tremendous effort from Victor Wembanyama (41 pts, 25 reb, 3 blk, game-high +16).
The Spurs also got contributions from Dylan Harper (24 pts, 11 reb, 6 ast, 7 stl) and Stephon Castle (17 pts, 11 ast), along with three other scorers in double figures.
“It was like sheer willpower. Everything was going really fast tonight — I wasn’t really thinking,” said Wembanyama. “Everybody had to step up (tonight)… we’re just built like this.”
Alex Caruso (31 pts, 8 3PM) had a Playoff-career high for the Thunder, while Jalen Williams (26 pts) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24 pts) also went to work.
But they were the only Thunder to score more than eight points — Chet Holmgren (8 pts, 8 reb, 2 blk) was limited by The Alien in Game 1.
The Spurs earned a 52-38 advantage in points in the paint, surviving 10 lead changes and eight ties in the victory.
Harper is the first rookie to put up 15+ points, 5+ rebounds and 5+ steals in a Playoff game since Magic Johnson in 1980.
Wemby set Playoff career highs in points and rebounds.
“We’ve never seen anything like this,” Tracy McGrady said of Wembanyama. “It seemed like he was making every play there was to make on both sides of the court.”
MAY 18, 2026 / 11:41 ET
Wemby’s night
The Alien (41 pts, 23 reb, 3 blk) rejects Jalen Williams on the drive to seemingly seal the contest for the Spurs, adding yet another highlight to his incredible game.
He’s joined David Robinson as the only Spurs to put up 40 and 20 in a Playoff game.
“You’re being treated to an epic show by one of the greatest young players in the game,” said Reggie Miller. “My goodness.”
MAY 18, 2026 / 11:37 ET
Wemby posterizes Chet
Victor Wembanyama (39 pts, 22 reb) doesn’t have a ton left in the tank, but he had enough to spin away from Alex Caruso and slam one down over the rotating Chet Holmgrem for an and-one.
118-114 Spurs with 1:01 remaining.
MAY 18, 2026 / 11:35 ET
Harper on the rack attack
Dylan Harper (21 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast, 6 stl) takes the reigning MVP to the rim off the bounce, earning an and-one for the Spurs.
He’s been devastating on the drive tonight.
115-111 San Antonio with 2:04 remaining.
MAY 18, 2026 / 11:30 ET
Wembanyama keeps running
The Alien (36 pts, 22 reb) is playing one of his finest games, delivering a pump-fake drive-and-slam from the 3-point line, then pushing it coast-to-coast to draw a foul.
He has the last nine points for the Spurs.
112-108 with 2:33 to go in double overtime.
MAY 18, 2026 / 11:26 ET
Double overtime!
The Spurs tossed a lob with Stephon Castle with 0.4 remaining, but Alex Caruso broke it up, sending us to a second overtime in Oklahoma City.
MAY 18, 2026 / 11:20 ET
Wemby!
From 27 feet, Victor Wembanyama (32 pts) just drilled a game-tying 3-pointer, bringing to mind Stephen Curry’s brilliant 3-pointer on this same floor in 2016.
WEMBY, WOW!
WHAT A SHOT TO TIE THE GAME AT 108. pic.twitter.com/HELQUpxww7
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2026
108-all with 26.3 remaining.
MAY 18, 2026 / 11:18 ET
Thunder surge into the lead
Alex Caruso (30 pts, 8 3PM) and Jalen Williams (23 pts) have back-to-back huge buckets for the Thunder, as Oklahoma City takes a 106-105 lead with 1:08 remaining.
Caruso just knocked the ball off Wemby to earn them another possession. He’s had an incredible game.
MAY 18, 2026 / 11:14 ET
Wembanyama hits the deck
Victor Wembanyama just hit the hardwood, diving on the court to knock the ball off Chet Holmgren’s foot to earn another possession for the Spurs.
The all-world Alien is giving it everything he has here.
103-101 Spurs with 3:10 to go in overtime.
MAY 18, 2026 / 11:08 ET
Chet rejects Wemby to send it to overtime
The Spurs got the ball in Victor Wembanyama’s hands with 3.4 seconds remaining, and he managed to muscle past the pesky Alex Caruso, reclaiming the ball after it was momentarily knocked loose to get off a shot.
But Chet Holmgren rejected the floater from his rival, sending this clash to overtime.
CHET SAID: “NOT IN MY HOUSE!”
GET TO NBC/PEACOCK FOR OVERTIME OF GAME 1! https://t.co/0Pae0hyNjY pic.twitter.com/p1MlTE0rLh
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2026
It’s an instant classic here in OKC.
MAY 18, 2026 / 11:06 ET
SGA responds
101-all, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (20 pts) slashes to the basket off the Iverson cut, evading Stephon Castle’s contest for a game-tying layup.
SGA COMES THROUGH!
WE ARE TIED AT 101 WITH 3.1 SECONDS TO GO ON NBC AND PEACOCK. pic.twitter.com/9yHrBaeu1u
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2026
Victor Wembanyama stayed pinned to Chet Holmgren in the corner, giving the reigning Kia MVP room to get to the rim.
MAY 18, 2026 / 11:04 ET
Wembanyama in the clutch
101-99 Spurs with 11.4 seconds remaining, as Victor Wembanyama (27 pts, 17 reb) attacked Jalen Williams (21 pts, 5 reb) in the post, hitting a floater in the lane to silence the crowd in the Paycom Center.
WEMBY IS CLUTCH!!!
11.5 SECONDS LEFT. THUNDER BALL.
GET TO NBC AND PEACOCK FOR THE FINISH. pic.twitter.com/HReYGTRTLp
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2026
MAY 18, 2026 / 10:58 ET
Are you not entertained?
97-all, Spurs ball, with 53.4 remaining in the fourth quarter.
These are two of the best teams in the NBA. It’s the first game between teams with 62 or more wins in the Playoffs since 1998. Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are giving it their all.
Catch the finish!
MAY 18, 2026 / 10:56 ET
It’s the Caru-show
95-94 Thunder with 1:30 to go, as Alex Caruso (27 pts, 7 3PM) knocks down a 3-pointer over the outstretched arms of Victor Wembanyama from the top of the arc.
MAY 18, 2026 / 10:53 ET
Vassell’s shown up
94-92 with 2:00 to go, as Devin Vassell (13 pts, 3 3PM) knocks down a contested corner 3-pointer, followed by a patented stepback from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (18 pts, 8 ast).
SGA’S MIDDY MAKES IT A 2-POINT GAME.
2 MINUTES TO GO ON NBC AND PEACOCK! pic.twitter.com/6xT5s8AOL7
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2026
Vassell’s 3-of-8 (37.5%) from distance tonight.
MAY 18, 2026 / 10:50 ET
Spurs up three in clutch time
91-88 Spurs with 3:40 to go in the contest.
Chet Holmgren (8 pts, 6 reb) just rejected Victor Wembanyama (25 pts, 16 reb) at the rim, freeing the Thunder to go on the attack.
MAY 18, 2026 / 10:48 ET
The stars are dueling
STARS GOING AT IT IN OKLAHOMA CITY!
Wemby with the block.
SGA with the and-1!
Spurs lead… under 5 to go in Game 1 on NBC and Peacock 🙌 pic.twitter.com/NepnQ5EIg8
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2026
MAY 18, 2026 / 10:35 ET
Dylan Harper on the attack
The Spurs’ rookie (19 pts) has acquitted himself more than well in his first Playoff start. Watch every time he touches the paint — his feel for angles and touch is elite.
Spurs up 89-80 with 7:30 to go in the fourth quarter.
MAY 18, 2026 / 10:31 ET
Caruso keeping the Thunder close
87-80 with 8:57 to go in the contest, as Alex Caruso (22 pts) sinks his sixth 3-pointer to keep the Thunder within striking distance.
It’s a Playoff-career high for the nine-year veteran out of Texas Tech.
MAY 18, 2026 / 10:23 ET
Spurs up 80-73 after three
Stephon Castle (15 pts, 6 ast) just found Devin Vassell (10 pts, 2 3PM) with a dime for a corner 3-pointer, refuting another 3-pointer from Alex Caruso (19 pts), who leads the Thunder in scoring.
The Thunder have a 14-4 lead in fast break points and a 20-8 advantage in points off turnovers, but the Spurs are up 30-22 in points in the paint.
OKC’s shooting 16-of-50 with Wemby on the floor so far, and 10-of-16 with him off it.
These teams are battling hard here on NBC and Peacock. The familiarity is evident. Who will win this pitched contest and take the lead in the Western Conference Finals?
MAY 18, 2026 / 10:19 ET
Wembanyama all over the place
Victor Wembanyama (19 pts, 13 reb) is exerting his influence, but the Thunder are grinding to stay close.
Wemby hit the deck twice in recent possessions, then went full Beyblade-mode in the paint, spinning and whirling to get to the line.
75-70 with 1:10 to go in the third quarter.
MAY 18, 2026 / 10:09 ET
Intensity picking up
Both teams are fired up here in the third quarter.
Alex Caruso slashed to the rim, then dropped off the rock to Isaiah Hartenstein, who drew a foul on the drive.
Caruso then stoned Stephon Castle in the key, showing his trademark quick feet, followed by a corner 3-pointer (and accompanying celebration) from Jared McCain. Dylan Harper attacked Ajay Mitchell in transition soon thereafter, barely dodging Hartenstein’s last-ditch attempt to swat the shot.
MAY 18, 2026 / 10:01 ET
Thunder take the lead
58-57 Oklahoma City with 7:33 to go in the third quarter.
Chet Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort have knocked down 3-pointers so far in the period, as the defending champs bring the energy in front of their home fans at the Paycom Center.
MAY 18, 2026 / 9:52 ET
Thunder go small
Cason Wallace is starting the third quarter for the Thunder in place of Isaiah Hartenstein, as the Thunder shift to match the Spurs’ speed, as they did in the 2025 NBA Finals against the Pacers.
MAY 18, 2026 / 9:37 ET
Spurs up 51-44 at the half
Victor Wembanyama (14 pts, 10 reb) is out of the gates quickly, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (4 pts) was limited to his fewest points in a Playoff half since 2020.
ONE-HANDED JAM.
Wemby (14p, 10r, 6-11 fgm) and the @spurs lead at the break of Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals! pic.twitter.com/LbluqG96BG
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2026
The Spurs held the Thunder to 37.2% shooting in the first half, although they’re only shooting 41.9% themselves.
That’s the lowest-scoring half for the Thunder in this postseason, as well as their lowest shooting percentage.
“(Defense is) our calling card. That’s what gets our engine running. I think when we get out and run, we’re the best team in the world,” said Stephon Castle (11 pts). “I think if we took care of the ball, we’d have an even bigger lead right now, so we’re going to try to clean that up in the second half.”
SGA is a team-low -15 at the break, while Wembanyama is a game-high +15.
MAY 18, 2026 / 9:28 ET
OKC out and running
The Thunder have a 12-0 lead in fast break points so far, as they cut the Spurs’ lead to 44-41 with 3:40 to go in the first half.
Jared McCain just went coast-to-coast, attacking Luke Kornet backpedaling on the break. Kornet’s foot speed and quickness could be tested in this series against an athletic Thunder squad.
STEAL ➡️ SCORE.
Jared McCain goes coast-to-coast to bring OKC within 3!
The 2Q of Game 1 is winding down on NBC and Peacock. pic.twitter.com/Xm3WszubS4
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2026
MAY 18, 2026 / 9:22 ET
Carter Bryant all over the place
Watch the Spurs rookie’s defense on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The athletic 6’6″ wing, who was a contestant in the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest, is picking up full court and harassing the newly-crowned Kia MVP, including forcing a turnover a moment ago.
MAY 18, 2026 / 9:19 ET
Spurs take a lead
40-32 with 7:20 to go in the half.
Victor Wembanyama (10 pts, 10 reb) just scored back-to-back buckets, including a remarkable no-leap dunk, with a 3-pointer from Alex Caruso (13 pts) in-between.
MAY 18, 2026 / 9:06 ET
Tied at 27 after one
We’ve seen four lead changes and three ties so far in this contest, as Oklahoma City rallies following a strong start by San Antonio.
The Thunder have received 15 points from their bench, led by Alex Caruso (10 pts), who leads them in scoring, along with Jalen Williams (10 pts). Stephon Castle (11 pts) is the top man for the Spurs.
San Antonio is shooting just 38.1% from the field and has committed five turnovers, but is 8-of-9 from the free throw stripe to even it out.
Ajay Mitchell leads the game at +6 — he sparked the Thunder offense after coming in off the bench.
MAY 18, 2026 / 9:02 ET
Thunder tie it up as J-Dub gets loose
25-all as the first quarter winds down.
Jalen Williams (8 pts) has woken up in his return game, getting to the rim repeatedly with Victor Wembanyama out of the game.
MAY 18, 2026 / 8:51 ET
Caruso immediately responds
Alex Caruso puts in back-to-back layups for the Thunder, cutting the lead to 12-7 with 6:48 to go in the first.
The Thunder were settling themselves down in the huddle after the Spurs quick run to start the game — Caruso, the oldest player on the team, immediately settles them down.
MAY 18, 2026 / 8:48 ET
Spurs out to 12-3 lead
This is tied for the largest deficit the Thunder have faced in the postseason — the Suns also had a nine-point lead in Game 3 of their first round series.
Stephon Castle hit a catch-and-shoot 3-pointer to open the game, which is always crucial for the Spurs, and Julian Champagnie’s added one as well.
MAY 18, 2026 / 8:45 ET
A star-studded matchup tips off
The 2025-26 @Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year and the 2025-26 @Kia NBA Most Valuable Player take the floor for Game 1 on NBC & Peacock! https://t.co/n3WiGi9YnT pic.twitter.com/sliPdjRHzD
— NBA (@NBA) May 19, 2026
MAY 18, 2026 / 8:30 ET
Thunder have been dominant at home
Since 2024-25, the Thunder are 70-14 at home (.833 winning percentage) — the best in the NBA.
The Cavaliers are second at 61-21 (.744).
MAY 18, 2026 / 7:50 ET
De’Aaron Fox out
San Antonio Spurs star De’Aaron Fox has been ruled out for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to an ankle sprain, sources tell ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 18, 2026
With Fox missing tonight’s contest, rookie Dylan Harper (9.0 ppg vs. OKC) this season steps into the starting lineup.
Harper has been a more aggressive slasher than Fox in recent games — few guards can match his skills when getting downhill. The stage will be the main question for the young Spurs guard.
Tyler Herro holds the rookie record for points in a Conference Finals game with 37, which he put up against the Celtics in Game 4 of the 2020 Eastern Conference Finals.
Earl Tatum (32 points) holds the record for the Western Conference Finals, which he put up in Game 1 of the 1977 Western Conference Finals for the Los Angeles Lakers.
MAY 18, 2026 / 6:45 ET
Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama will renew their rivalry tonight as the Spurs face the Thunder on NBC and Peacock.
San Antonio:
- PG De’Aaron Fox
- Fox could be crucial this series. Can he win one-on-one matchups with Luguentz Dort, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace? Can his quickness make it difficult for OKC to play Ajay Mitchell? As an established vet, Fox steps into a critical role for a young San Antonio team in this series.
- SG Stephon Castle
- Castle logged the second-most minutes (21:13) guarding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of any player this season, holding him to 24 points on 6-of-19 (31%) shooting, with SGA going 11-for-13 from the line.
- SF Devin Vassell
- Vassell is making 1.9 3PM on 5.9 3PA (32.9%) in this Playoff run — below his career average of 2.1 makes on 5.7 attempts (37.2%).
- PF Julian Champagnie
- Can Champagnie prove his worth against a deep Thunder squad? He’ll draw time on Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, which could complicate life for the St. John’s product. Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson and Carter Bryant could also see time at power forward for the Spurs in this series, with the Playoff-tested Kelly Olynyk available in case of emergency.
- C Victor Wembanyama
- Wembanyama was held to 18.4 ppg against the Thunder this season — his third-lowest mark against any team — despite shooting 62.5% from 3-point range.
Oklahoma City:
- PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- The reigning Kia MVP has the chance to make a real statement in this series. He’s the preeminent player in the game, facing one of his chief rivals in Wembanyama, with a chance to become the third player to win MVP and Finals MVP in the same season on two occasions, joining Michael Jordan, who did it four times, and LeBron James. Heady company.
- SG Luguentz Dort
- Dort held De’Aaron Fox to 13 points on 4-of-13 shooting over 15:57 of game action this season.
- SF Jalen Williams
- J-Dub returns with the chance to take home another ring. His 40-point performance in last year’s NBA Finals is a career highlight. Will he demonstrate a taste for the big stage?
- PF Chet Holmgren
- Holmgren’s rivalry with Wembanyama dates back to their teenage years. If he can outplay The Alien in even a single game, it could swing the series for Oklahoma City. He’s been confident in this Playoff run so far, and even dominant at times against the Lakers.
- C Isaiah Hartenstein
- I-Hart missed two of the Thunder’s games against the Spurs this season, and spent most of his time facing Luke Kornet as part of the second unit. Will OKC go small again? If so, they have a bevy of options, including Jaylin Williams (13.7 pts, 8.3 reb vs. the Spurs this season) and the sharpshooting Jared McCain.
MAY 18, 2026 / 6:00 ET
Monday’s injury report
De’Aaron Fox and Luke Kornet are questionable for the Spurs. Thomas Sorber is out for the Thunder.
MAY 18, 2026 / 5:30 ET
Tap in for the Spurs-Thunder
The clip of Hakeem Olajuwon shaking David Robinson seems fitting.
In 1995, Robinson won Most Valuable Player, receiving 73 first-place votes, while Olajuwon, who had won it the year prior while Robinson finished second, got only one.
Hakeem then averaged 35.3 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 4.2 blocks per game in the Rockets 4-2 series victory over the Rockets, outdueling The Admiral, who averaged 23.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 blocks.
Victor Wembanyama and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander don’t play the same position. But SGA won the 2025-26 Kia MVP over Wembanyama and Nikola Jokić, his fellow finalists. Will that motivate The Alien to do something otherworldly in this series?
We’ll soon find out.
