Thunder say no excuses, just 'get better' as title reign ends - ESPN

OKLAHOMA CITY — A team that looms as a long-term roadblock ended the Oklahoma City Thunder's hopes of repeating as NBA champions.

The first of what could be several playoff series between these talented, young Western Conference powers ended with Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs celebrating on the Paycom Center court after advancing to the NBA Finals with a 111-103 win over the Thunder in Saturday's Game 7.

Despite dealing with a series of key injuries throughout the season, the Thunder again had the NBA's best record at 64-18. But the 62-20 Spurs were a thorn in the Thunder's side, winning four of the five regular-season matchups between the teams and eliminating Oklahoma City in the NBA Cup semifinals and again in the West finals.

«They're young, they're talented, well coached, play the right way, play together, seems like they like each other,» said back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who had his best performance of the series with 35 points and nine assists to give Oklahoma City a chance in Game 7. «They have the makeup for sure. You don't beat us without the makeup, and we're here. They got the makeup to go get [a championship].

»We just have to take it one day at a time from here on out. Try to get better this summer, be a better team than we were this season and last season and try to get over the hump."

The Thunder were shorthanded for most of the series due to injuries that sidelined their other two dynamic offensive creators, making it easier for the Spurs' elite defense to focus on Gilgeous-Alexander, who shot less than 40% from the floor in four consecutive games before going 12-of-21 in Game 7.

Jalen Williams, an All-NBA selection last season who starred during the Thunder's title run,