Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes revealing admission about Victor Wembanyama and Spurs

The Oklahoma City Thunder have spent the last two seasons proving they're the team to beat in the Western Conference. Now they're facing a challenge that even reigning champions don't see very often.

After suffering a stunning 118-91 loss in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder find themselves heading into a winner-take-all Game 7 against the San Antonio Spurs. And according to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, this Spurs team belongs in elite company. Following the loss, Gilgeous-Alexander was asked whether San Antonio was the toughest opponent Oklahoma City has faced during its recent championship window.

His answer said plenty about what the Thunder are dealing with.

"They're up there for sure," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "Indiana and Denver were pretty tough."

That's notable considering the teams he mentioned. The Denver Nuggets pushed Oklahoma City to seven games during last year's playoffs. The Indiana Pacers later battled the Thunder in the NBA Finals before Oklahoma City captured the championship. Now the Spurs have earned a place in that conversation.

Victor Wembanyama has become Oklahoma City's biggest problem

Much of that credit belongs to Victor Wembanyama. The San Antonio superstar delivered another dominant performance in Game 6, finishing with 28 points and 10 rebounds while helping force the series back to Oklahoma City.

Wembanyama has been the defining player of the matchup. Through six games, he has scored 141 total points, leading all players in the series and repeatedly creating problems for one of the NBA's best defenses.

Every time the Thunder have looked ready to take control, Wembanyama has answered. That's a major reason why a series many expected Oklahoma City to win comfortably has instead become one of the most competitive conference finals in recent memory.

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Shai knows exactly what Game 7 means

Gilgeous-Alexander didn't sound surprised by the challenge. In fact, he suggested this is exactly what happens when teams make deep playoff runs year after year.

"They've a very tough team, really good team," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "This late in the season you're gonna play teams with this caliber."

The Thunder star understands that championship paths rarely come easy. Still, Oklahoma City will need far more from its MVP leader than it received in Game 6. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with just 15 points during the blowout loss, one of his quietest performances of the postseason. The Thunder offense never found a rhythm, and the result was their second lopsided defeat of the series.

A legacy game awaits in Oklahoma City

For all the discussion surrounding Wembanyama, the spotlight now shifts directly to Gilgeous-Alexander. The two-time MVP has scored 131 points in the series and remains the engine behind everything Oklahoma City does offensively. But Game 7 presents a different challenge.

It presents an opportunity. Win, and the Thunder return to the NBA Finals with a chance to defend their championship. Lose, and one of the league's most successful seasons comes to an abrupt end at home.

The stakes couldn't be higher. And if Gilgeous-Alexander's comments are any indication, he knows exactly how dangerous the Spurs have become.

That alone should make Game 7 must-see television.

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