Spurs vs. Thunder live updates: Where to watch Game 1, odds, predictions
The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder have been on a collision course for months, and the Western Conference finals showdown the entire NBA world wanted to see is finally here.
The two best young cores in the league will face one another when the Spurs and Thunder meet with a spot in the NBA Finals on the line. Their best-of-seven series starts with Game 1 on Monday, May 18 at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder are the defending NBA champions and riding high after consecutive sweeps to begin the NBA playoffs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s leading scorer this postseason, is just one day removed from earning his second-consecutive league MVP award, and sidekick Jalen Williams is expected back from a hamstring injury.
The Spurs are back in the conference finals for the first time since 2017 behind Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and rookie Dylan Harper. Despite being newcomers to this stage and underdogs to begin the series, San Antonio won four of its five regular-season meetings against the Thunder.
USA TODAY Sports will be providing live updates for Game 1 of the NBA’s Western Conference finals between the Spurs and Thunder. Follow along here for the most up-to-date highlights and analysis:
How to watch Spurs vs. Thunder Game 1: TV, streaming options
- Date: Monday, May 18
- Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City)
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CT)
- TV: NBC
- Streaming: Peacock
Spurs vs. Thunder head-to-head this season
Jon Hoefling
The San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder played each other five times in the 2025-26 season with the Spurs winning the season series four games to one. Here are the results o
- Dec. 13, 2025 at Oklahoma City: Spurs 111, Thunder 109
- Dec. 23, 2025 at San Antonio: Spurs 130, Thunder 110
- Dec. 25, 2025 at Oklahoma City: Spurs 117, Thunder 102
- Jan. 13, 2026 at Oklahoma City: Thunder 119, Spurs 98
- Feb. 4, 2026 at San Antonio: Spurs 116, Thunder 106
NBA Western Conference finals schedule
The Oklahoma City Thunder have the No. 1 seed and will host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7, while the San Antonio Spurs host Games 3, 4 and 6.
All games on NBC and Peacock; *-if necessary
- Game 1 at Oklahoma City: Monday, May 18, 8:30 p.m.
- Game 2 at Oklahoma City: Wednesday, May 20, 8:30 p.m.
- Game 3 at San Antonio: Friday, May 22, 8:30 p.m.
- Game 4 at San Antonio: Sunday, May 24, 8 p.m.
- *Game 5 at Oklahoma City: Tuesday, May 26, 8:30 p.m.
- *Game 6 at San Antonio: Thursday, May 28, 8:30 p.m.
- *Game 7 at Oklahoma City: Saturday, May 30, 8 p.m.
Spurs vs. Thunder predictions
Mark Giannotto, USA TODAY Sports: Thunder in 7
This feels like the first of a few playoff clashes between these two young cores and the biggest challenge standing between either team and an NBA championship this year. The Thunder haven't been tested yet during this postseason and Victor Wembanyama will likely push them to the limit. But Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein are a formidable duo inside to combat him and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the NBA in scoring during the playoffs. What Jalen Williams looks like coming off a hamstring injury could be the deciding factor. Give the first postseason matchup of this emerging rivalry to the Thunder if he's close to himself.
Click here to see more expert predictions from around the internet.
NBA conference final odds
The Oklahoma City Thunder are favored to win Game 1 of the Western Conference finals over the San Antonio Spurs at home as well as to win the series and return to the NBA Finals.
Odds as of 4 p.m. ET on Monday, May 18, courtesy of BetMGM
Thunder vs. Spurs odds
- Series odds: Thunder (-250); Spurs (+200)
- Game 1 spread: Thunder (-6.5)
- Game 1 moneyline: Thunder (-235); Spurs (+190)
Knicks vs. Cavaliers odds
- Series odds: Knicks (-275); Cavaliers (+220)
- Game 1 spread: Knicks (-7.5)
- Game 1 moneyline: Knicks (-285); Cavaliers (+225)
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