The San Antonio Spurs claimed victory over the Thunder with a 111-103 win in Game 7, securing a spot in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014. San Antonio dominated the series by winning Games 1, 4, 6, and 7, holding the Thunder to their lowest postseason offensive output in those victories. Victor Wembanyama made an impressive impact, registering 41 points and 24 rebounds in the series opener and finishing with the most blocks in a playoff series in 21 years (19).
De’Aaron Fox, who joined the Spurs last season to complement Wembanyama, played a crucial role in the decisive Game 7 with 15 points, five assists, and three steals. The Spurs’ next challenge is the New York Knicks, who made their first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years after sweeping the Eastern Conference Finals in four games. Game 1 will take place in San Antonio on Wednesday, June 3.
Attention has also turned to the Sacramento Kings, a franchise now far from playoff contention. De’Aaron Fox, the former face of the Kings, was pivotal in the Spurs’ journey to the Finals. Meanwhile, Mike Brown, current coach of the Knicks, was fired by Sacramento in late 2024, despite his previous success in leading the Kings to the playoffs and winning NBA Coach of the Year.
Fox’s journey to the Spurs reflects the downturn for the Kings. He declined a $165 million extension from Sacramento and moved to San Antonio during the NBA trade deadline, later signing a four-year, $229 million max contract. This storyline highlights the Kings’ ongoing struggles, contrasting with Fox’s success on the Finals stage.
The Kings have faced turmoil since the 2002 Western Conference Finals. At that time, they were close to defeating the Lakers and reaching the NBA Finals with a star-studded lineup. But a Game 6 loss followed by an overtime defeat in Game 7 derailed their momentum.
The team’s history includes notable draft misses, such as selecting Jimmer Fredette over Klay Thompson and Kawhi Leonard in 2011, and choosing Marvin Bagley III over Luka Doncic in 2018. Positive draft outcomes include selecting De’Aaron Fox in 2017 and Tyrese Haliburton in 2020, two outstanding point guards. However, neither player remains with the Kings. Haliburton, traded to Indiana in 2022, led the Pacers to the NBA Finals last year.
Sacramento continues to struggle with smart front office decisions and luck, both essential ingredients for building a championship team. Instead of competing for titles, the Kings face a reality marked by a challenging history and ongoing missteps. As the Spurs and Knicks prepare for the NBA Finals, the Kings grapple with the label of being the NBA’s most beleaguered franchise.
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