The San Antonio Spurs are heading into a massive Game 7 in Oklahoma City, as they’ll battle the Thunder for a spot in the NBA Finals, with the winner taking on the New York Knicks.
With that, the Spurs are not only battling a very challenging opponent in OKC but also their massive fan support, as many people in the area are hoping to see the Thunder bring home their second straight championship this year.
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According to San Antonio’s starter Devin Vassell, the fans were already doing their best to hinder the Spurs’ players’ ability to compete seriously.
“I was tossing and turning for a little bit, for sure. … I know they’re going to be playing music out there at that park trying to keep us up, so I was trying to get as much sleep as possible,” Vassell told reporters at Spurs’ practice.
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MAY 15: Devin Vassell #24 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter in Game Six of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 15, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The park that Vassell was referring to is Scissortail Park, located directly across from the Thunder’s home venue, the Paycom Center in OKC.
Vassell and his teammates certainly need as much rest as they can get for Game 7. It’s been a grueling six games so far, including that double-overtime battle in Game 1. The Spurs struck first, winning that game and claiming a 1-0 series lead.
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After OKC won the next two, there have been back-and-forth wins exchanged. The Spurs’ 113-91 win in Game 6 at San Antonio set up the decisive final game in the series.
Vassell has led the team in minutes played, averaging 33.9 per game, which is just slightly ahead of fellow starting teammate Stephon Castle’s 33.4 minutes per game.
In Game 1, Vassell was on the court for 51 minutes, achieving 13 points along with six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal. That helped in his team’s epic double-OT win, 122-115.
He got a break in the team’s recent win, playing just 26 minutes, which seemed like head coach Mitch Johnson was preserving his key player for a Game 7 battle. San Antonio will be looking for big performances from Vassell and his teammates as they attempt to reach the NBA Finals.
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The Spurs and Thunder tip off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday in Oklahoma City.
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For more about the San Antonio Spurs, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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