The Western Conference Finals began with an instant classic on Monday night as the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs defeated the reigning NBA-champion Oklahoma City Thunder with a 122-115 final score in double overtime. Unanimous Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama out-dueled back-to-back reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, delivering a thrilling opening to the series.
Just one day later, the No. 3 seed New York Knicks erased a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit against the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden. Jalen Brunson went nuclear in the final period, helping the Knicks force overtime where they went on to take Game 1 with a 115-104 final score.
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These back-to-back thrillers mark a historic conference finals milestone.
“This marks the first time in NBA history that Game 1 of both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals have each gone into overtime,” the NBA announced on social media.
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Both of these overtime Game 1 matchups resulted in some incredible stat lines from some of the league’s brightest stars.
Wembanyama recorded 41 points and 24 rebounds in the Spurs’ series-opening win, playing nearly 49 minutes as the game wore on through two overtime periods. His best play came down the stretch when his team needed him most — similar to Brunson in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
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Brunson finished the game with 38 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 19: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives against the Cleveland Cavaliers during overtime in Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
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Game 2 between the Spurs and Thunder will tipoff at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Game 2 between the Cavaliers and Knicks will begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday.
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