The San Antonio Spurs defeated the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 to advance to the Finals.

This Finals appearance holds special significance for the Spurs, marking their return after 12 years since their last appearance in 2014.

At that time, the Spurs won the championship against the Miami Heat, capping off the illustrious era of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili.

However, since then, the Spurs have gone through a long rebuilding phase. They faced multiple playoff misses and even fell to the bottom of the league at one point.

As the San Antonio Spurs secured their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014, the entire city erupted in a festive atmosphere.

While the love for the Spurs among San Antonio residents is already well-known, countless fans poured into the streets.

Even those who couldn't make it to the arena drove downtown, turning major roads into a massive parking lot.

Footage captured by Texas Department of Transportation cameras looked no different from the scenes right after a championship win.

The I-37 highway near the Alamodome was reported to be so congested that vehicles could barely move.

In particular, the I-35 and Southcross areas experienced severe traffic, with speeds dropping to as low as 7 miles per hour.

At the center of this year's resurgence of the Spurs is Victor Wembanyama.

The Western Conference Finals MVP, Wembanyama scored a team-high 22 points in Game 7, fulfilling his role as the ace.

While the numbers may seem ordinary, he dominated the game by hitting crucial three-pointers at key moments.

His composure displayed in this series has shown that he is no longer just a promising rookie but a true franchise star.

A notable feature of this Spurs team is their lack of reliance on a single player. In Game 7, a remarkable seven players scored in double digits.

Julian Champagnie hit six three-pointers for a total of 20 points, while Stefon Castle also had a strong performance with 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.

This reflects the revival of the team basketball DNA reminiscent of the Greg Popovich era.

Interestingly, the Spurs' Finals opponent is the New York Knicks. The two teams faced each other in the 1999 NBA Finals.

At that time, the Spurs defeated the Knicks 4-1 to claim their first championship in franchise history. Now, 27 years later in 2026, they meet again on the same stage.

Just a few years ago, fans in San Antonio were wondering, "Will we be strong again when Wembanyama grows?" However, the results have come much faster than expected.

It has only been three years since the Spurs drafted Wembanyama in 2023, and they have reached the NBA Finals.

Now, the Spurs are challenging for the championship for the first time in 12 years since 2014. The entire city is dreaming of another championship parade.