2026 NBA Conference Finals: Thunder and Spurs Tied 2-2, Knicks One Win From the Finals

The 2026 NBA Conference Finals have reached a dramatic turning point. In the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are locked in a genuine series after the Spurs levelled things at 2-2 with a dominant Game 4 win. In the East, the New York Knicks are on the verge of their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers 3-0. Game 5 of both series falls on the same night — Tuesday, May 26 — making this one of the most compelling nights on the 2026 playoff calendar.

This preview covers the state of both series, key player matchups to watch, championship futures odds, and how to bet on the Conference Finals through W88 SABA Sports.

Series Overview: Where the 2026 NBA Conference Finals Stand

As of Monday, May 25, the Conference Finals scorelines are:

• West: Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs — series tied 2-2. Game 5 is on Tuesday, May 26 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
• East: New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers — Knicks lead 3-0. Game 4 is on Monday, May 26 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland (Knicks lead, may close sweep).

The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on June 3, 2026 on ABC. The projected finalists — assuming the Knicks complete the sweep and the Thunder-Spurs series continues — would be New York meeting either Oklahoma City or San Antonio.

Western Conference Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder vs San Antonio Spurs

This series has been a genuine chess match between two of the most fascinating young rosters in the league. The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, entered the playoffs as the Western Conference's top seed and are the overall championship favorites. But Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs have proven they can hang with anyone.

Series timeline:

• Game 1 — San Antonio: Spurs win (Spurs took the first road game, stunning OKC at home).
• Game 2 — OKC: Thunder win (responded to even the series).
• Game 3 — San Antonio: Thunder win 123-108 (OKC stunned the Spurs on the road, record bench performance). Thunder lead 2-1.
• Game 4 — San Antonio: Spurs win 103-82 (Wembanyama delivers a masterclass). Series tied 2-2.

Source: ESPN Game 4 recap — Spurs 103, Thunder 82.

Game 4 Recap: Wembanyama Shuts Down OKC

Victor Wembanyama was the story of Game 4. The French centre produced a two-way performance that left the Oklahoma City offence without an answer, finishing with 33 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks. Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell each added 13 points in a disciplined team effort from San Antonio.

The Thunder's offence fell apart. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Western Conference's best player and a leading MVP candidate, managed only 19 points on 6-for-15 shooting. Oklahoma City as a team shot 33% from the field and a dreadful 18% from three-point range (6-for-33), their worst shooting performance of the playoffs. The Spurs controlled tempo, defended the perimeter, and physically dominated the paint.

San Antonio's defensive scheme — packing the paint and forcing OKC into contested mid-range attempts — neutralised SGA's typical off-the-dribble attack. Whether Oklahoma City's coaching staff can make an adjustment before Game 5 is the central question heading into Tuesday.

Game 5 Preview: Thunder Host Spurs at Paycom Center (May 26)

Game 5 moves back to Oklahoma City. The home team has an opportunity to reclaim the series lead and put the Spurs in a must-win situation for Game 6 in San Antonio.

OKC will be motivated to respond to their blowout loss. SGA and the Thunder have won both home games in this series and will look to re-establish their pace-and-pace identity in a friendly environment. Expect a major adjustment on the offensive end — more ball movement, cleaner three-point looks, and an attempt to use the Spurs' drop coverage against them in pick-and-roll sets.

For San Antonio, Wembanyama will again be the pivot. His ability to defend multiple positions while also creating as a passer and scorer at 7'4" is almost unprecedented at this stage of a young player's career. If he can replicate his Game 4 control, the Spurs have a genuine chance to take a 3-2 series lead and potentially close out on home court in Game 6.

Championship odds from OddsShark (as of May 25):

• Oklahoma City Thunder: -180 (outright favorites)
• New York Knicks: +300
• San Antonio Spurs: +450

The Thunder remain the projected champions, but their championship equity has dipped after the Game 4 blowout. If the Spurs take a 3-2 lead, expect those numbers to tighten significantly.

For the latest game-by-game spreads and totals on Thunder-Spurs, check Action Network's NBA Conference Finals coverage. They track line movement, public betting percentages, and model projections for each game.

Eastern Conference Finals: New York Knicks vs Cleveland Cavaliers

The New York Knicks have been the story of the 2026 playoffs. Entering the season as Eastern Conference contenders, they have since evolved into a juggernaut — winning 10 consecutive playoff games and methodically dismantling every opponent placed in front of them.

Eastern Conference Finals results:

• Game 1 — New York: Knicks 115-104 (OT). Knicks survive a tough opener after forcing overtime.
• Game 2 — New York: Knicks 109-93. Dominant second half; Cleveland offers no answer to New York's ball movement.
• Game 3 — Cleveland: Knicks 121-108. Knicks win on the road to go up 3-0, defying a hostile crowd at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Source: NBA official East Finals page.

The Knicks' offensive efficiency has been historically remarkable. Per Olympics.com's coverage, New York's effective field goal percentage of 59.3% across their 13 playoff games is the best mark for any team in NBA playoff history. That figure reflects deep shot selection, near-perfect execution in half-court sets, and a ruthless ability to attack defensive mismatches.

Jalen Brunson and the Knicks' Historic Playoff Run

Jalen Brunson has been the engine of New York's run. The point guard has elevated his game at every stage, imposing his will in isolation and as a pick-and-roll initiator, while also distributing efficiently. Around him, the Knicks have received significant contributions from their entire roster — a sign of depth and coaching that separates genuine championship teams from one-man reliance.

Cleveland, without the depth to match New York's rotation, has struggled at both ends. Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers' best player, has been held in check and has not found consistent rhythm against New York's switching, physical defence.

Game 4 on Monday night is expected to complete the sweep. The Knicks have not squandered leads of this magnitude at any point this postseason. Prediction markets have the Cavaliers' chances of advancing trading at approximately 2% implied probability, per Bettors Insider prediction market analysis.

2026 NBA Finals Preview: Thunder vs Knicks or Spurs vs Knicks?

If the series play out as the odds suggest — Knicks sweep the Cavaliers, Thunder recover at home — the NBA Finals will be a matchup of two of basketball's most compelling stories:

• New York Knicks: A storied franchise returning to the Finals for the first time in 27 years, led by a homegrown superstar in Jalen Brunson and a deep, battle-tested roster. The Knicks will enter the Finals having not played since Game 4 (May 26), giving them a potential week-long rest advantage if the West series runs long.
• Oklahoma City Thunder: The youngest title contender in decades, built through the draft, anchored by SGA and a culture instilled over years of methodical rebuilding. If they can sort out their shooting and contain Wembanyama's influence, they are the class of the West.

The alternative Finals — Knicks vs Spurs — would be an equally compelling storyline. Wembanyama versus Brunson would be a generational showcase, with the Spurs as underdogs but capable of engineering an upset if Wembanyama maintains his peak form.

The NBA Finals schedule:

• Game 1: June 3
• Game 2: June 5
• Game 3: June 8
• Game 4: June 10
• Games 5-7: June 13, 16, 19 (if needed)

Betting the Conference Finals at W88 SABA Sports

W88's SABA sportsbook covers the full slate of NBA Conference Finals markets, including moneylines, spreads, and game totals for every remaining game. The SABA platform is particularly strong on basketball, with deep markets across NBA postseason play.

For those following the Thunder-Spurs series, key markets to monitor ahead of Game 5 include:

• Moneyline: OKC are expected to be home favourites after returning to Paycom Center.
• Spread: The Thunder-Spurs series has seen totals consistently run high — all four games passed 200 points combined.
• Player props: Wembanyama's points, rebounds, and blocks props have been among the most-bet in the playoffs. SGA's scoring line is equally watched.
• Series winner: With the series tied, both sides offer genuine value at current championship futures prices.

New W88 members can access these markets alongside the Sports BOLA Welcome Bonus — 100% Match Up to USDT 200 on SABA or BTi, available to first-time depositors. Existing members betting the Conference Finals can also accumulate USDT through the FIFA World Cup 2026 Road Bonus, which covers SABA qualifying wagers through May 31.

For a full SABA platform review, the 2026 Champions League Final preview provides context on how W88's sportsbook handled a major European football event — similar in structure to NBA Conference Finals coverage. More basketball and sports betting analysis is available on the W88 Sports hub.