NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal believes the Western Conference could be in for a surprise ending this season — and it involves the San Antonio Spurs dethroning the defending champions.
Speaking on Inside the NBA, Shaq confidently predicted that the Spurs will knock off the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals and punch their ticket to the NBA Finals.
“San Antonio will beat OKC in the Western Conference finals,” O’Neal said without hesitation.
According to Shaq, Oklahoma City will still finish the regular season atop the Western Conference standings, with San Antonio securing the No. 2 seed. On paper, that matchup would favor the Thunder, who currently boast the best record in the league at 40–13. But Shaq’s confidence appears rooted in what has already happened on the court this season.
The Spurs have dominated the season series, holding a 4–1 record against OKC — a rare blemish for a Thunder team that has otherwise looked nearly unstoppable. San Antonio, sitting at 36–16, has consistently matched Oklahoma City’s physicality and pace, exposing matchup issues that could become magnified in a seven-game playoff series.
While the Thunder continue to rely on their elite defense, depth, and late-game execution, the Spurs have quietly built momentum behind a balanced roster and strong home-court performances. Their recent stretch includes key wins against fellow Western Conference contenders, reinforcing Shaq’s belief that San Antonio is peaking at the right time.
Looking ahead, both teams face critical stretches in the schedule. Oklahoma City has upcoming matchups against playoff-bound opponents that will test their depth, while San Antonio enters a favorable run of games that could allow them to close the gap for the top seed. Another potential Spurs–Thunder showdown looms later this month, which could serve as a preview of a high-stakes postseason clash.
Whether Shaq’s prediction comes true remains to be seen, but history shows that regular-season success doesn’t always guarantee playoff dominance. If the Spurs continue to exploit their favorable matchups against OKC, the Western Conference Finals could deliver one of the most unexpected outcomes of the season.