Spurs Crowned as Western Conference Champions

When the final buzzer echoed in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, the Spurs clinched a 111-103 victory over the Thunder, marking their ascendance in the conference.

This series, the first seven-game playoff round in eight years, highlighted the significant gap between the Lakers and the top teams, namely the Spurs and Thunder.

For the Lakers, the disparities were glaring.

Throughout the regular season, they suffered four losses to the Thunder, averaging a staggering 29.3 points per defeat. During the playoffs, without their star guard Luka Doncic, they managed only 16 points per game in a four-game sweep.

Against the Spurs, the Lakers finished the regular season with a 1-3 record, averaging losses of 13.8 points. As the Spurs found their rhythm, the chasm between the teams widened.

To assert themselves in the Western Conference and vie for an NBA title, the Lakers must find ways to overcome these obstacles.

So, what can the Lakers learn from the recent Western Conference Finals?

It begins with bolstering their roster depth.

A multitude of factors influence a team’s success during the season.

It’s crucial to acknowledge the Spurs’ achievements in securing their spot in the NBA Finals against the Knicks.

Throughout much of the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder were without All-Star Jaylen Williams and Ajay Mitchell, who was a key scorer for them. Despite these setbacks, Oklahoma City pushed the series to seven games, showcasing their depth and resilience.

They actively relied on eight or nine players throughout the playoffs. And that doesn’t even take into account teammates like Aaron Wiggins and Isiah Joe, who had already made a mark in their previous Finals appearance.

While the Spurs may not be as deep as the Thunder, they still have the ability to field a robust lineup depending on matchups.

Even without Doncic, the Lakers typically had about seven or eight reliable contributors.

Both the Thunder and Spurs possess strengths allowing this level of depth. Key players like Williams and Chet Holmgren remain on cost-effective rookie contracts.

This is similarly true for the Spurs, as three of their top playoff scorers—Victor Wembanayama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper—are also on rookie deals that extend into next season.

As the Lakers look to close the competitive gap, adding quality depth should be prioritized this offseason.

Lakers president Rob Pelinka commented on this necessity after the season wrapped up, noting that youth and athleticism are vital in the current playoff landscape. “We have a lot of that on our roster,” he admitted, “but we need to add to that.”

The Spurs excelled with their youthful and athletic roster, leveraging that to their advantage.

In the Western Conference Finals, they averaged ten more fast break points than the Thunder, capitalizing on scoring chances, particularly as the pace slowed during the playoffs.

Remarkably, in their second-round series against the Lakers, the Thunder averaged eight fast break points, while the Spurs limited them to an average of 7.2 points in that category.

Part of the Spurs’ success stemmed from their ball-handling, which reduced the Thunder’s transition opportunities. Plus, their youthful energy enabled them to keep pace effectively.

These nuanced advantages contributed to the Spurs’ success over the Thunder.

If the Lakers want a shot at the 2026-27 championship, addressing these areas for improvement is crucial.