Western finals preview
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NO. 2 SAN ANTONIO SPURS
C: Victor Wembanyama – 22.1-point, 11.4-rebound, 4.5-block averages in the playoff games he didn't try to elbow someone in the brain, 30 minutes per outing. This is about what he averaged in two games as a starter against OKC in the regular season. Worked five times total against the champs in 2025-26 but only blocked six shots in 126 minutes, 14 turnovers.
F: Julian Champagnie – missed 18-25 three-pointers versus OKC in five regular season outings, 45 percent from deep in the postseason. Role player looms large in San Antonio's plans. Can he keep up with Jalen Williams, deter Chet Holmgren, distract Isaiah Hartenstein? Can he leak back to save San Antonio's transition defense? Will all the little things find him all over again?
SG: Devin Vassell – started in all four regular season wins over OKC, missed 13-16 combined attempts in two contests (10 points total) and made 12-27 (30 points) in two others. If his teammates return to the paint without pushback, Vassell will be available to put San Antonio over the top. Will he have the legs, after fighting through Shai and Jalen Williams? Spot-up shooting in deep May is something else.
G: Stephon Castle – starred in the Christmas win over OKC, played exceedingly well at home two nights before. Any other team peeling off a six-game series and I'd worry about weariness, but the 21-year old Castle is young, and only averages 32 minutes per game in the postseason. Doesn't have to take over down the stretch, because
PG: De'Aaron Fox – is there to burrow his way into jump hooks out of timeouts. Remove a 3-9 regular season outing against OKC (in a 20-point win), and Fox hit 30-53 from the floor against the Spurs this regular season. Also fouled 15 times, in only 170 minutes, so, let's get this on.
