Year of Game 7: Spurs vs. Thunder in Western Conference Finals

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This playoff season marks a notable moment in NBA history with five series extending to a Game 7. The latest features San Antonio visiting Oklahoma City on Saturday for the Western Conference finals.

Earlier in the playoffs, Philadelphia defeated Boston and Cleveland overcame Toronto in Round 1. Detroit outlasted Orlando, and Cleveland triumphed over Detroit in Round 2. These five Game 7s equal the record for a single postseason, matching 1994, 2014, and 2016.

Remarkably, this season could see unprecedented Game 7 road victories as well. Up to now, three road wins in Game 7 during one playoff season have never occurred. The Spurs hope to alter this pattern on Saturday.

Game 7 Records

Historically, home courts offer an advantage, with home teams winning 117 out of 159 Game 7s in NBA playoff history. Here is a look at Oklahoma City and San Antonio’s Game 7 performances:

Thunder (since Oklahoma City move): 4-2 overall, 4-0 at home. Their home wins have been decisive, with an average margin of 17.5 points in double-digit victories. Losses happened while designated as the road team, including a classification scenario when they faced Houston in the 2020 bubble playoffs.
Spurs: 4-7 overall, 1-5 on the road. The single road victory happened against New Orleans in 2008. San Antonio has yet to experience a Western Conference finals Game 7 away match but did play such a game in the 1979 Eastern Conference finals, falling to Washington.

Game 7 and Birthdays

Harrison Barnes turns 34 on Saturday, a potentially positive omen for the Spurs. Historically, no player has lost a Game 7 playoff on his birthday:

Paul George celebrated his 36th on May 2, when Philadelphia beat Boston.
In 2016, Barnes himself turned 24 as Golden State overcame Oklahoma City.
On May 17, 2015, Pablo Prigoni aged 35, aiding Houston’s win over the Clippers.
Udonis Haslem had Miami defeat Boston when he turned 32 on June 9, 2012.
Kevin Garnett celebrated 28 years on May 19, 2004, as Minnesota triumphed over Sacramento.
Scott Hastings marked his 30th birthday on June 3, 1990, contributing to Detroit’s victory over Chicago.
Walt Hazzard turned 24 on April 15, 1966, in Los Angeles Lakers’ win against St. Louis.

The Best-of-12 Season Series

Saturday’s game is the 12th meeting between Oklahoma City and San Antonio this season. San Antonio holds a 7-4 edge thus far. Comparatively, last season saw Golden State and Houston play 12 times, including a playoff series.

Since the NBA’s scheduling changes, teams typically encounter each other up to 11 times, barring the new NBA Cup inclusion. A maximum of 13 meet-ups per season is possible now under current format rules.

Records from the past likely remain intact, such as the 20 meetings between the Minneapolis Lakers and St. Louis Hawks during both the 1959-60 and 1960-61 seasons—with only eight league teams playing 75 games then.