The Oklahoma City Thunder were the number one seed in the Western Conference last season, and the San Antonio Spurs were the number two seed in the Western Conference last season. Oklahoma City and San Antonio played a grueling seven-game series in the Western Conference Finals. The Thunder had a 3-2 series lead, but the Spurs rallied to win the series 4-3.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 18: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks the ball against Chet Holmgren #7 and Jalen Williams #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter in Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 18, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
San Antonio lost to the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals in five games. Many people are wondering if the Spurs will be back in the NBA Finals next season or not. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won back-to-back MVP awards. Victor Wembanyama is ready to take the next step in becoming an MVP. However, he could be the new villain in the NBA. It is going to be interesting to see how the Thunder and the Spurs will be this season and they are both NBA title contenders. Oklahoma City and San Antonio will both face each other on opening night in the NBA on Tuesday, October 20th on NBC.
NBA Analyst Believes That the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs Will Be Highly Anticipated Once Again During the 2026-2027 NBA Season
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 18: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket against Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in Game One of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 18, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Zach Kram of espn.com wrote about the Top 10 NBA rivalries entering the 2026-2027 NBA season. He thinks that the Thunder and the Spurs will be the second-best rivalry entering the season. Kram said,
”In the 2026 conference finals, the Spurs eliminated the defending champs in Game 7 in Oklahoma City.
That last series propelled this rivalry to an even greater level, after a regular season in which the Thunder started 24-1 only to drop three games to the Spurs in 13 days. Both teams have electric young backcourts, and Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren have been fierce rivals ever since they dueled on the international youth scene.
This rivalry has a strong case for the No. 1 spot right now, and because both Oklahoma City and San Antonio project to remain among the NBA’s title favorites for seasons to come, they’re likely to keep adding to that list of memorable playoff series.
Their next battle, though, comes as soon as possible when the Thunder take a trip to San Antonio on opening night.”
In 2012, they faced in the Western Conference Finals with Oklahoma City winning 4-2. During the 2014 season, the Spurs won game six in overtime on the road to reach the NBA Finals and eventually win it all against the Miami Heat. During the 2016 season, Oklahoma City upset San Antonio in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
There is no doubt that this rivalry could potentially reach greater heights in the future. Could they be meeting in the playoffs several times over the next five years here? That is something that could potentially happen here also.
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