Western Conference Finals winners and losers: De'Aaron Fox steps up for Spurs, two Thunder starters disappear
The Western Conference Finals often reveal who is truly ready for the moment, and this year’s matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder has been no exception. At the center of it all is De’Aaron Fox, whose arrival as a big-stage performer has shifted the balance of the series, while two Thunder starters have faded under the spotlight.
For San Antonio, Fox has been exactly what the franchise envisioned when it paired him with Victor Wembanyama: a downhill creator who can bend defenses, control tempo, and close games. His speed has stressed Oklahoma City’s perimeter containment, forcing help rotations that open up clean looks for shooters and easier reads for Wembanyama in the middle. More importantly, Fox has looked composed in late-game situations, getting to his spots without rushing and dictating matchups through switches.
That poise has been vital for a Spurs team still learning what it means to contend. Fox’s ability to shoulder primary creation duties allows San Antonio’s younger wings to focus on defending and cutting, rather than manufacturing offense on every trip. In a conference packed with elite guards, his performance in this series elevates him from “talented lead guard” to legitimate All-NBA-level engine on a contender.
On the other side, Oklahoma City’s concern is that two of its starters have gone missing at the worst possible time. Whether it’s shooting inconsistency, defensive lapses, or simply failing to assert themselves offensively, their lack of impact has put an unsustainable burden on the Thunder’s primary star and tightened San Antonio’s grip on the series’ rhythm.
From a league-wide perspective, this contrast is telling. The playoffs routinely expose soft spots in a roster and clarify who can scale their game when scouting is relentless and possessions slow. The Spurs are discovering that Fox is built for this environment; the Thunder are learning which pieces may need to evolve or be rethought if they want to advance from “up-and-coming” to truly dangerous in the West’s championship hierarchy.
For San Antonio, Fox has been exactly what the franchise envisioned when it paired him with Victor Wembanyama: a downhill creator who can bend defenses, control tempo, and close games. His speed has stressed Oklahoma City’s perimeter containment, forcing help rotations that open up clean looks for shooters and easier reads for Wembanyama in the middle. More importantly, Fox has looked composed in late-game situations, getting to his spots without rushing and dictating matchups through switches.
That poise has been vital for a Spurs team still learning what it means to contend. Fox’s ability to shoulder primary creation duties allows San Antonio’s younger wings to focus on defending and cutting, rather than manufacturing offense on every trip. In a conference packed with elite guards, his performance in this series elevates him from “talented lead guard” to legitimate All-NBA-level engine on a contender.
On the other side, Oklahoma City’s concern is that two of its starters have gone missing at the worst possible time. Whether it’s shooting inconsistency, defensive lapses, or simply failing to assert themselves offensively, their lack of impact has put an unsustainable burden on the Thunder’s primary star and tightened San Antonio’s grip on the series’ rhythm.
From a league-wide perspective, this contrast is telling. The playoffs routinely expose soft spots in a roster and clarify who can scale their game when scouting is relentless and possessions slow. The Spurs are discovering that Fox is built for this environment; the Thunder are learning which pieces may need to evolve or be rethought if they want to advance from “up-and-coming” to truly dangerous in the West’s championship hierarchy.
