NBA playoff takeaways: Victor Wembanyama making his case as the real MVP

The San Antonio Spurs secured a must-win victory in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-91 on Thursday, May 28. The win forced a Game 7 on May 30 in Oklahoma City, setting up a potential NBA Finals matchup against the New York Knicks. Victor Wembanyama was the Spurs’ catalyst, correcting early-season mistakes with 22 points in the first half, including 4-of-6 shooting. His aggressive play extended to defense and rebounding, where he grabbed 5 boards by halftime, while also attempting 8 three-pointers—though the Spurs benefit most when he attacks the rim. The Thunder’s offense stalled without consistent secondary scoring beyond Cason Wallace’s 11 points on perfect 4-of-4 shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the two-time back-to-back MVP, managed just 10 first-half points and two free throws, while injured forward Jalen Williams remained limited by his hamstring. Spurs rookie Dylan Harper provided a crucial spark off the bench, scoring 12 first-half points on 5-of-6 shooting after struggling in prior games. Starting guard De’Aaron Fox went 0-for-5 from the field, underscoring the Spurs’ reliance on Harper’s energy and transition play. The Spurs’ aggressive pace, tight defense, and Wembanyama’s leadership proved decisive, extending their playoff run despite early missteps. Oklahoma City now faces elimination with one game remaining, while San Antonio moves closer to its first NBA Finals appearance in two decades.