{"id":707972,"date":"2026-06-01T09:34:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T09:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/707972\/"},"modified":"2026-06-01T09:34:13","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T09:34:13","slug":"spurs-unsung-hero-sends-message-to-team-that-waived-him-after-game-7-heroics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/707972\/","title":{"rendered":"Spurs unsung hero sends message to team that waived him after Game 7 heroics"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spurs wing Julian Champagnie reflected on being waived by the 76ers after his 20-point Game 7 performance helped the Spurs reach the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n

San Antonio Spurs<\/a> wing Julian Champagnie<\/a> delivered one of the best performances of his career in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.<\/p>\n

Champagnie scored 20 points, knocking down 6-of-10 attempts from three-point range, while also adding six rebounds in 37 minutes. He played a key role in San Antonio’s 111-103 road win over OKC, helping the Spurs eliminate the Thunder and advance to the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n

Few would have expected Champagnie to be in this position three years ago, when he was waived by the Philadelphia 76ers to make room for Mac McClung.<\/p>\n

After the biggest win of his career, Champagnie reflected on his journey to the NBA Finals, thanking the Spurs while also making it clear how difficult that moment in Philadelphia was.<\/p>\n

“I thought it was over. I ain’t gonna lie to you. Getting waived with no warning, no nothing, explanation or anything, it was tough. Big, big shout out to the San Antonio Spurs taking an opportunity to a kid from Brooklyn,” Champagnie said postgame.<\/p>\n

This season, the 24-year-old has become an important piece for the Spurs, averaging 11.1 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 38.2% from three-point range.<\/p>\n

In the NBA Finals, the Spurs will face the New York Knicks, with the series set to begin Wednesday in San Antonio.<\/p>\n

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