"They're not going to be able to sleep" – Paul Pierce believes the Spurs may have gotten inside the Thunder's heads after another blowout win - RAW CHILI

The San Antonio Spurs did not want to go home just yet – and they let the Oklahoma City Thunder know in emphatic fashion.

The Spurs steamrolled the defending champions by 27 points in Game 6, 118-91, to force a decider and keep their Finals hopes alive. Victor Wembanyama paced the squad with 28 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. It’s the second time the Spurs have dominated the Thunder like this in the Western Conference finals.

In the past two seasons, the latter has been viewed as one of the most formidable teams in the league. However, in this series, it seems the young and inexperienced Spurs have shattered that image. And for NBA legend Paul Pierce, this dominance may have shaken the Thunder’s confidence.

“I believe San Antonio created a little doubt in OKC’s locker room,” he said on No Fouls Given.

“I’ve never seen OKC get punched in the mouth twice in one series either as hard as they got punched ever in the last two years. The way how dominant they’ve been. Nobody has went in there at a building or OKC on the road and just put them on their knee twice,” he added.

Pierce believes it gave the Spurs confidence

After a strong first quarter from the Spurs, thanks to Wemby, who scored 11 points, the Thunder were able to find some rhythm and put themselves within striking distance at halftime, trailing by just seven points, 60-53.

Then came the second half. With the Spurs ahead 72-64, they went on a 20-0 blast to lead 92-64 with less than two minutes remaining. It was all Spurs from there as they held onto their advantage en route to the wire-to-wire victory.

On the losing side, the Thunder struggled on the offensive end and with dealing with San Antonio‘s physicality, especially Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The two-time MVP only scored 18 points on 33.3 percent shooting from the field, while his fellow starters, Jared McCain and Chet Holmgren, also couldn’t get themselves going.

Pierce argued that these momentum swings not only rattled the Thunder a bit but also fueled the Spurs’ growing confidence and belief that they can actually take them down.

“They’re like, ‘D—, how does a team go on a 20-0 run? You’re thinking like Shai, ‘I’m struggling. How can I score? It’s frustrating.’ They’re not going to be able to sleep,” Pierce explained. “And if I’m San Antonio, I’m like, ‘We better than them.'”

The Thunder are more battle-tested

But then again, Pierce acknowledged that the Thunder are a different breed of competitors.

Their track record last season shows that they have not lost a Game 7. They traded blows with the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Semifinals, which ultimately reached Game 7. Then in the Finals, the Indiana Pacers did the same, keeping their season alive thanks to the heroics of Tyrese Haliburton.

And who won in all those instances? The mighty Thunder, led by SGA.

Entering this series’ Game 7, the Thunder know that they are much more battle-tested than the Spurs. They not only have the homecourt advantage, but also know the mindset they need to get it done.

The Spurs are looking to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014, which was also the franchise’s last championship. Meanwhile, the Thunder aim to block their way and defend their title against the New York Knicks. The basketball world will find out who’ll earn the last spot on May 30 at Paycom Center in OKC.

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

“They’re not going to be able to sleep” – Paul Pierce believes the Spurs may have gotten inside the Thunder’s heads after another blowout win