Ladbrokes previews the 2026 NBA Western Conference finals
Top two seeds meet as defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder face San Antonio Spurs
Key matchup between superstars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama

The NBA Conference Finals have arrived as just four teams remain in the 2025/26 NBA season. The Western Conference has thrown up a thrilling contest as the top two seeds meet in the Finals, with the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder taking on the San Antonio Spurs.
Back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama headline what promises to be one of the most exciting playoff series in recent years, as Ladbrokes takes a closer look at the Thunder vs Spurs series, previewing where it could be won and lost, and predicts who will advance to the NBA Finals.
Check out our full guide to the NBA Playoffs here. The Oklahoma City Thunder remain the favourites to retain their NBA title.
The defending NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder have breezed through to their second straight Western Conference finals without losing a game in the postseason so far. After wrapping up the West's number one seed with a 64-18 regular season record, the Thunder swept both the Phoenix Suns and the LA Lakers 4-0 to give themselves the maximum possible rest ahead of a blockbuster series between two teams that many consider the finest in the NBA.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has just been crowned MVP for the second consecutive season, after another stellar year which saw him average 31.1 points per game. After a quiet series by his standards, he starred in the Game 4 closeout against the Lakers with 35 points and 8 assists.
Second option Jalen Williams has been out with a hamstring injury since Game 2 of the Suns series, but is trending towards being fit for Game 1 against the Spurs in a huge boost for OKC. Williams was crucial in the Thunder's title run last year, averaging 21.4 points per game through the playoffs.
OKC's big-man pairing of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein is probably the best in the NBA, both capable of unsettling the best offenses while consistently recovering offensive and defensive rebounds, with Holmgren in particular a major box-score threat, averaging 18.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game in the playoffs.
The key to the Thunder's championship win in 2025 was their depth and it's likely to be the same this time around. When Williams was injured, guard Ajay Mitchell more than filled the void, averaging 22.5 points per game against the Lakers. Lu Dort and Alex Caruso provide further defensive intensity and three-point shooting depth, while Cason Wallace is averaging nearly two steals per game.
The San Antonio Spurs exceeded expectations throughout the regular season, finishing with a 62-20 record to secure the West’s second seed and establish themselves as genuine NBA title contenders far earlier than many expected. Appearing in the postseason for the first time since 2019, the Spurs overcame the Portland Trail Blazers in five games in the First Round before seeing off the Minnesota Timberwolves in six to reach their first Western Conference Finals since 2017.
Victor Wembanyama continues to look like a generational talent, with few players ever making such an impact at both ends of the court. The 22-year-old Frenchman was named the first ever unanimous NBA Defensive Player of the Year this season and averaged a double-double in the regular season (25 pts, 11.5 rebounds per game), which he has continued in the playoffs (20.3 pts, 10.7 reb per game). That's despite missing most of Game 4 against the Timberwolves after being ejected for elbowing Naz Reid.
De'Aaron Fox's trade from Sacramento last season gave Wembanyama an ideal backcourt partner, while second-year guard Stephon Castle has really come into his own this year as the Spurs' young core continues to grow. Castle produced his standout playoff performance to date in Game 6 in Minnesota, with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. The Spurs supporting cast has played a key role in their success, with six players averaging 10 or more points in the playoffs.
A major storyline in this series will be San Antonio’s ability to deal with OKC’s depth and physicality inside. Wemby is capable of changing games defensively almost single-handedly, averaging over 4 blocks a game in the postseason, but Holmgren and Hartenstein present arguably the toughest frontcourt matchup he has faced so far in the playoffs.
If there's one team that can stop OKC from going back-to-back, it's probably the Spurs. These two teams have met five times in 2025/26, including once in the NBA Cup, with San Antonio winning four of five matches - which would of course be enough for a series win here. It's unlikely to be that simple, with the Thunder in imperious form and barely breaking a sweat through the playoffs to date.
The Spurs have shown throughout the playoffs that they are capable of responding under pressure, particularly against a proven contender like Minnesota, but facing a rested OKC side that has yet to lose a postseason game represents their toughest challenge yet. Wembanyama's ability to dominate at both ends gives them a good chance, with Fox and Castle both proven scorers capable of taking over games late on.
Ultimately though, OKC’s balance across the roster could prove decisive over a seven-game series. The Thunder have had the league's best defense over the last couple of seasons, while SGA continues to look unstoppable offensively. They have been here before and look comfortable no matter which five players are out on the court at any given time.
It should be a thrilling series, and the victor will likely enter the NBA Finals as favourites. We're leaning towards Oklahoma City, with the defending champions' depth and experience giving them the edge over a young Spurs team whose time will surely come again. We reckon it'll go all the way, with the Thunder eventually prevailing in Game 7.
Our prediction: Thunder to win in seven
Game 1 - Thunder 115-122 Spurs
Game 2 - Spurs @ Thunder - Thursday, May 21 (1.30am BST)
Game 3 - Thunder @ Spurs - Saturday, May 23 (1.30am BST)
Game 4 - Thunder @ Spurs - Monday, May 25 (1am BST)
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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.
