Victor Wembanyama’s 33 points lead the Spurs to a 102-83 Game 4 win and even the West Finals at 2-2.
What a series. What a statement. What a shot.Wemby’s 43-foot halftime heave had just a 10% chance of falling, according to Shot Difficulty from NBA Inside the Game.
Now tied 2-2, the West Finals have a 100% chance of going at least six games.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Spurs Answer: Wemby dominates as San Antonio storms past OKC, ties West Finals 2-2
Lightning Bottled: How the Spurs defense delivered a Game 4 masterclass
Knicks Eye Finals: New York, riding record heater, seeks first NBA Finals berth since 1999
Cavs Confident: Cleveland ready to respond in another must-win spot
Best Of The Best: SGA, Jokić & Wemby headline 2025-26 Kia All-NBA Teams
BUT FIRST … ⏰
Game 4 of the East Finals tips off tonight, with the Knicks one win away from their first Finals appearance in 27 years. On the other side, the Cavs will look to stave off elimination (8 ET, ESPN | Tap to Watch).
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1. WEMBY, SPURS STRIKE BACK AT HOME, EVEN WEST FINALS 2-2
The defending champion Thunder were rolling, and the Spurs were reeling.
After winning Game 1 of the West Finals, San Antonio was suddenly facing a potential 3-1 deficit on Sunday – coming off its first back-to-back losses since January.
They needed a spark to slow the reigning champs.
Victor Wembanyama delivered something even greater.
Spurs 103, Thunder 82: Wemby was a force from the jump (33 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast, 3 blk) as San Antonio seized control early and carried a 12-point lead into halftime – capped by a shot that could live in Spurs lore – as they rolled to an emphatic Game 4 win to even the series 2-2. | Recap
Game-Changer: Wembanyama took just nine combined shots in the 1st halves of Games 2 & 3, as San Antonio trailed at the break in both contests and never recovered.
In Game 4, he took 15 before halftime – his most shots in any half this postseason.
The first bucket? A 3 to open the game. The last of the half? A 3 to close it unforgettably.
Tone-Setter: Wemby (11 pts) single-handedly outscored OKC through the game’s first 8:30, as San Antonio immediately seized control with a 23-8 run
Thunder Response: OKC cut the deficit to 7 early in the 2nd quarter with Wemby catching a breather. It didn’t last long. Thirty-seven seconds after checking back in, he drilled another jumper. Soon, he was up to 19 points
Still Swinging: But the defending champs kept coming. Despite Wemby’s scorching start, OKC had trimmed the deficit to nine entering halftime
Or so it seemed.
An extended loose-ball rebound left Devin Vassell with possession in the backcourt with five seconds left and OKC applying pressure.
Wembanyama wanted the ball.
He took Vassell’s cross-court pass, danced past Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (19 pts, 7 ast) and, with three defenders surrounding him, rose up from halfcourt
The buzzer sounded with the ball hanging in the air
Then it dropped. “GOOD!”
The longest make of Wembanyama’s career (43 feet) had given the Spurs their largest halftime lead of the series (50-38) | See It From All Angles
“I was just thinking shoot to score,” said Wemby of the halftime buzzer-beater. “I wasn’t messing around.”
Game-Closer: San Antonio carried its halftime momentum into the 3rd, opening on a 20-7 run to build a 20+ point lead – the largest edge of the series for either team – before slamming the door.
All Hands: Stephon Castle (13 pts, 6 ast), Vassell (13 pts, 6 reb) and De’Aaron Fox (12 pts, 10 reb, 5 ast) combined for 38 points in the win, as 11 Spurs scored
Alien Takeover: Averaging 30.3 pts and 13.3 reb this series, Wemby became just the third player in NBA history to average 30/10 through his first four Conference Finals games
His Company? Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon (1986) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (’70)
Now, an epic West Finals has become a best-of-three series, with Game 5 shifting to OKC on Tuesday (8:30 ET, NBC/Peacock).
And after searching for a spark, the Spurs found one with a special performance from their superstar.
“I think tonight … he felt an obligation to set a tone for us,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said of Wemby postgame. “The aggressiveness was a reflection of that.”
2. LIGHTNING BOTTLED: SPURS DEFENSE SHINES IN GAME 4 WIN
If Victor Wembanyama delivered the night’s signature moment, San Antonio’s defense provided the pen.
Moments before Wemby’s 43-footer, it was the superstar himself flying to the corner to force a Cason Wallace missed 3, followed by Julian Champagnie battling for the loose-ball rebound to secure possession.
Those hustle plays fueled the Spurs as they held Oklahoma City to one of its lowest offensive outputs in years.
Slowing The Storm: The Thunder’s 82 points marked their lowest-scoring game – regular season or Playoffs – since Dec. 2021
Opening Statements: OKC’s 38-point 1st half was also its lowest-scoring 1st half since Jan. 2022, and its lowest-scoring Playoff half in six years
How’d The Spurs Do It? It started with slowing down the back-to-back Kia MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (who was named to the Kia All-NBA First Team earlier Sunday alongside Wemby).
San Antonio showed that respect by making every touch, drive and jumper a grind for the Thunder’s superstar.
The Primary Stopper? Stephon Castle, who countered SGA with relentless energy and physicality.
Added Eyes: With Jalen Williams (15 ppg this postseason) and Ajay Mitchell (15.1 ppg) sidelined for OKC, San Antonio was able to send extra help toward SGA throughout the night, pressuring him from the moment he crossed halfcourt ⬇️
“Best perimeter defender in the league,” said Devin Vassell of Castle postgame. “He buys in all the time, he’s ultra-physical … he’s just a pest the whole game …
“But it’s the whole team to try to guard somebody like that … we need everybody to be great.”
Proven Results: SGA entered the West Finals averaging 29.1 ppg this postseason. This series, San Antonio’s held him to 24.8, with last night producing his 2nd-lowest scoring output of the Playoffs.
In this series, San Antonio has held him under 20 points twice.
And with SGA quiet, the Spurs forced the Thunder into uncharacteristic mistakes.
Creating Chaos: San Antonio forced OKC into 17 turnovers – tied for its most all postseason – with 11 coming off steals
Defense To Offense: That fueled an 18-7 edge in fastbreak points and a 25-13 advantage in points off turnovers
Blowing It Open: Those takeaways came at pivotal moments, helping spark a 14-0 1st-quarter run and its 20-7 burst to open the 3rd – highlighted by a pair of electrifying steal-and-slams ⬇️
“The guys did a great job of being connected,” said Mitch Johnson. “Anytime we can turn defense into offense … that’s when we’re at our best – and we did that tonight.”
3. KNICKS AIM TO CLOSE OUT CAVS WITH BRIDGES BOOSTING OFFENSIVE SURGE
The Knicks’ last loss was over a month ago, in Game 3 of the First Round vs. Atlanta on April 23.
Mikal Bridges was held to zero points – the lowest-scoring Playoff game of his career – as New York fell into a 2-1 series hole.
Knicks coach Mike Brown never wavered on his star wing – or his team.
“I’m not concerned about him,” said Brown postgame. “Mikal’s a pro. He’s been there. He’s played in hundreds of basketball games – he’ll be fine …
“It’s a seven-game series, and you have to take it one game at a time.”
Since then, New York has rattled off 10 straight – its longest postseason win streak – behind its best 10-game Playoff scoring stretch ever.
And perhaps no player better embodies New York’s offensive transformation than Bridges, who’s rediscovered his rhythm as the Knicks’ attack has fully come alive.
Tonight (8 ET, ESPN), New York aims to keep rolling in Cleveland, carrying a 3-0 series lead as it seeks its first NBA Finals berth since 1999.
The Knicks have averaged 122.2 ppg during their 10-game win streak – not only the best 10-game scoring stretch in franchise Playoff history, but also the highest-scoring average of any team during a 10-0 postseason run.
Amid the surge, Jalen Brunson has shined as New York’s go-to scorer (27.8 ppg), while Karl-Anthony Towns has thrived as a facilitator (15.4 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 6.9 apg).
Bridges has found another level, unlocking another dimension of New York’s offense as a hyper-efficient finisher.
Slow Start: In Games 1-3 vs. Atlanta, Bridges averaged 7 ppg, while shooting 36.4% from the field and 25% from 3
Scorching Stretch: Since then, he’s posted 16.8 ppg on 68.2% shooting and a 45.8% clip from deep. He also hasn’t missed a free throw in that span
Historic Heater: That makes him the first player in NBA history to average 15+ pts on 60/40/100 shooting split or better over any 10-game postseason span
So what changed? During the win streak, Towns has piled up 69 dimes – the most in any 10-game stretch of his career.
As KAT has elevated as a facilitator, Bridges has flourished off the ball, picking apart defenses as a cutter, transition scorer and midrange threat.
Opportunistic: While Bridges leads the Knicks in transition scoring (56 pts), he’s also T-1st in points off cuts, as he and OG Anunoby have 26 apiece. On those cuts, Bridges is shooting 71.1%
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Inside Game: During the Knicks’ 10-0 run, 5.2 of Bridges’ 7.3 FGM per game have come in the paint, including 3.9 from the restricted area
Pick Your Poison: Clog up the paint, and Bridges can still punish defenses, shooting a team-best 58.8% from the midrange amid the win streak (min. 1 FGA/g)
“His feel is unbelievable,” said Brown of Bridges on Saturday. “He’s picking and choosing when to look for his shot … and we need him to continue to do that.”
That feel has helped fuel an all-time dominant run, as the Knicks have won their last 10 games by a combined 225 points – the highest point differential over any 10-game span in NBA history, regular season or Playoffs.
4. MITCHELL, CAVS CONFIDENT HEADING INTO GAME 4
While the Knicks eye an NBA Finals berth, the Cavs remain confident they can swing the series.
New York enters tonight on a historic heater, but Cleveland believes this series has been defined more by missed opportunities than a separation in talent.
“I don’t feel like we’re overmatched,” said Donovan Mitchell after Game 3. “We were up 22 [in Game 1]. So it’s on us …
“We know that … and we have an opportunity to get Game 4 and then go from there.”
Despite the 3-0 deficit, Cleveland has gone toe-to-toe with New York for long stretches – and at times controlled play – but in each game, decisive Knicks runs have been the difference.
In Game 1, the Cavs were in control for much of the night, leading 93-71 with 7:52 left before New York stormed back to win in OT
In Game 2, Cleveland was down just four at halftime, but a 32-21 3rd quarter from New York ripped the game open
In Game 3, the Knicks raced ahead with a 37-27 1st quarter, but Cleveland played New York nearly even the rest of the way (84-81 NY) despite shooting 29.3% from 3, compared to the Knicks’ 39.3%
The Hidden Difference: Cleveland’s struggles from 3-point land haven’t just stalled its offense – they’ve also ignited New York’s transition attack.
Cold From 3: Cleveland has shot just 29.4% from deep in the series – nearly identical to its Game 3 mark – after shooting 34% from 3 through the first two rounds
Fueling The Break: Those missed looks have helped the Knicks get out and run, with Cleveland being outscored 43-24 in fastbreak points through three games
“When you don’t hit shots, your defense suffers,” said Jarrett Allen. “We can’t let that happen … we have to understand that we’re going to hit shots eventually.”
And Cleveland often does at home.
Despite the Game 3 loss, the Cavs are shooting 36.5% from 3 this postseason at Rocket Arena, where they’re 6-2.
Another reason for optimism? Mitchell and Allen, who’ve repeatedly delivered in elimination games.
Built For It: Mitchell – ranked 7th in all-time Playoff scoring average and this postseason’s leading scorer – has averaged 27.4 ppg across 11 career elimination games
Owning The Inside: Allen has stepped up in both of Cleveland’s elimination games this postseason, averaging 22.5 pts and 13 reb in Game 7 wins vs. Toronto and Detroit
Now, the Cavs believe the formula is simple: shoot better and extend the series, one game at a time.
“Ultimately, we’ve missed shots,” said Mitchell after Game 3. “We have an opportunity to change that in Game 4, then go back in New York.”
5. BEST OF THE BEST: KIA ALL-NBA TEAMS ANNOUNCED
The league is overflowing with star power, but only 15 players earn All-NBA honors.
On Sunday, the 2025-26 Kia All-NBA Teams were announced, recognizing the NBA’s top performers from the regular season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander captured a second straight Kia MVP, Nikola Jokić turned in another historic season and Victor Wembanyama made the unthinkable feel routine.
All three headlined the Kia All-NBA First Team alongside Luka Dončić and Cade Cunningham. To celebrate the selections, we spotlight one defining stat from each First Teamer:
Cade Cunningham: Only Jokić dished out more assists this season than Cunningham (23.9 ppg, 9.9 apg), who was the only guard to post 35+ double-doubles (38), while powering Detroit to its first 60+ win season in 19 years.
Luka Dončić: Dončić averaged 33.5 ppg for his second career scoring title, leading the NBA with 44 30-point games and 16 40-pieces – six more than the next closest player (Anthony Edwards: 10).
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: A unanimous First-Team selection, SGA became the first guard in NBA history to average 30+ ppg on at least 55% shooting, as he earned his second straight Kia NBA MVP award.
Nikola Jokić: Another unanimous First-Teamer, Jokić joined Wilt Chamberlain (1967-68) as the only players in NBA history to lead the league in rebounds and assists, while averaging a triple-double (27.7 pts, 12.9 reb, 10.7 ast).
Victor Wembanyama: In addition to becoming the youngest player ever to win Kia DPOY (via unanimous vote), Wemby became the first player since Shaquille O’Neal (1999-00) to average 25+ pts, 10+ reb and 3+ blk in a season.
Ten more players earned All-NBA honors, featuring a blend of established vets and young superstars on the Second and Third Teams:
Kia All-NBA Second Team: Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell
Kia All-NBA Third Team: Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray, Jalen Johnson, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Duren
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