Spurs vs. Thunder Game 1: Prediction & Player Props

The Western Conference finals series we all expected gets underway on Monday night as top seeds and defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder take on second seeds San Antonio Spurs. 

This series almost feels like a Finals Series to a degree as whichever team prevails should go into the showpiece as the clear favorites, unless these sides come through a gruelling seven games and either the Knicks or Cavs win in four or five games in the East.

The Thunder claimed the championship last season and finished with a league best 64-18 regular season, but in San Antonio they are facing the only team they really struggled to get to grips with over a best-of-seven series.

Spurs vs. Thunder Game 1 betting picks and predictions

Spurs +6.5 (-110)

The Thunder have been perfect in the Playoffs, sweeping both the Phoenix Suns and LA Lakers in the previous two rounds, while the Spurs needed five games to oust Portland in the first round and then six against Minnesota.

However, a cruise through to this stage isn’t always the best preparation and OKC definitely face a different challenge against San Antonio, who might have benefitted from having to come through a bit of adversity against Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves.

The Thunder should come into the game fresher after nearly a week off since their last game but at the same time the Spurs could be ready to pick up where they left off after dismantling Minnesota in Game 6 of their series just a few days ago.

It is all set up for a fascinating series between two fairly evenly matched sides and the Spurs might be better placed to edge the opener. There is a temptation to back the visitors as +200 underdogs on the Money Line but the better option could be backing them to cover a fairly generous +6.5 handicap on the Point Spread.

These sides have already met five times this season and San Antonio have largely dominated with four wins, including a 10-point success when these teams last met in February. The Spurs won in a knockout game in the NBA Cup in the first meeting, and that suggests they should be able to cope with the additional pressure of this being a playoff game.

The Spurs have three defeats in the postseason this year but the biggest margin they have lost by is five points, they can keep this game close even if they do fall 1-0 behind.

Victor Wembanyama 15+ rebounds (+160)

San Antonio Spurs star center Victor Wembanyama averaged 11.5 rebounds per-game for the season and has put in some huge displays in the playoffs.

The Frenchman had at least 15 in four of the six games against Minnesota and he’s reached double figures in rebounds in five of the six playoff games in which he’s featured for at least 30 minutes, and over that mark is a near certainty for the Spurs talisman in Game 1 of the Conference Finals.

Wembanyama only averaged 9.2 rebounds per-game in the five meetings with OKC this season but he’ll be looking to lay down a marker and 15 or more rebounds can land.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over 1.5 threes made (+100)

While Wembanyama will be looking to make a statement for the visitors, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be keen to make a serious impact for the defending champions.

The 2025 Finals MVP is averaging 29.1 points per-game in the playoffs, just below his regular season average, and 1.3 threes made per-game, which is noticably lower than his regular season average of 1.7.

However, Gilgeous-Alexander did up his work rate from deep in the final three games against the Lakers, scoring five three-pointers during that run from 14 attempts in total.

The two-time MVP had at least four three-point attempts in all five of his games against the Spurs this season and if he is able to get four chances on Monday there is a reasonable chance he’ll score two or more three-pointers. 

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Spurs vs. Thunder Game 1 odds

Thunder	-245
Spurs	+200
Spread	Thunder -6
Total Points	O/U 220

Spurs vs. Thunder player props

Player Points

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC Thunder)	O/U 30.5
Victor Wembanyama (SA Spurs)	O/U 25.5
Chet Holmgren (OKC Thunder)	O/U 16.5
Stephon Castle (SA Spurs)	O/U 16.5
Jalen Williams (OKC Thunder)	O/U 15.5
De’Aaron Fox (SA Spurs)	O/U 15.5

Spurs vs. Thunder Game 1 team news

San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs do have a couple of concerns as both De’Aaron Fox and Luke Kornet are rated as questionable due to respective ankle soreness issues.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder are virtually at full strength for Game 1 on Monday as Thomas Sorber is their only absentee, as he recovers from ACL surgery.

Read the latest NBA news on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.