Oklahoma City Thunder defeated San Antonio Spurs in the semi-finals of the Western Conference, sending Spurs into an early vacation. Thunder have reached the finals of the conference for the fourth time in the last six years. The big dilemma on Thursday night, however, was other. It was all about Tim Duncan. Was that the end of a brilliant career? Is one of the best wings in the NBA history, leaving the professional basketball?

40-year-old Tim Duncan played on his usual level. He showed great performance, but couldn’t help his team reach the victory. However, that was Duncan’s best performance this season, but this time he could not save Spurs, although he had done it hundreds of times in the past two decades.

34 minutes, 19 points, 5 rebounds and shooting of 7/14 for 2 points and 5/6 from the free-throw line. That was the stats for the legend with shirt №21 in №6 game of the playoff series against Oklahoma City. Whether it was the last page of the great story of the boy who turned to basketball because of a hurricane destroyed his dreams of Olympic medals in swimming? Tim, himself, refused to speak on this topic. He told the assembled media crowd that he will speak later about his further career. The only thing he said was: “I would get to that after I get out of here and figure out life…”

His contract with Spurs is about to expire, but it includes a clause for extension for another year. Tim Duncan is now 40, but Gregg Popovich guaranteed would have accepted with open arms if Duncan says “yes” and postpone his retirement from the professional basketball for another season.

“I really don’t know what he (Tim Duncan) is going to do. But when he decides to move on, sometime between now and the next five years – that’s a little bit of a joke – it will feel a little differently walking into the gym,” Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said on Friday, just a day after San Antonio’s defeat in the playoffs to Oklahoma City.

What remains for all who love basketball? Wait and meanwhile enjoy the last, at least at this stage, Duncan’s match for San Antonio Spurs.

However, the winners – Oklahoma City Thunder will have the difficult task to play against the Golden State Warriors in The Western Conference finals. Can Thunder surprise everyone and win against the champions?

Oklahoma City Thunder recorded a valuable away victory (98 – 97) against the San Antonio Spurs in the second game of the semi-final playoff series between these two teams in the Western Conference of the NBA. So, Thunder now equalized the number of victories (1 – 1) and they will have the advantage of their home field in the next two matches.

The two big stars of Oklahoma City Thunder – Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant showed a world class performance. Westbrook scored 29 points, while Durant finished with 28 points. Westbrook added 10 assists, and 7 rebounds. Steven Adams, who plays as a centre, was also at his usual level. He finished with 12 points and 17 rebounds.

LaMarcus Aldridge was again above all, for Spurs, scoring 41 points, just 3 more than he scored in the first match between the two teams. Kawhi Leonard added 14 points and 7 rebounds. So after two matches in San Antonio, the next two matches will be held in Oklahoma.

In the other match, which was played earlier this morning, the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the hosts Atlanta Hawks 104 – 93. So The Cavaliers are now 2-0 wins ahead in the aggregate score. LeBron James was the best for the winners. He recorded 25 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds, while Kyrie Irving added 21 points and 8 assists. The reserve player Dennis Schroder was the top scorer for the visitors, finishing with 27 points while Paul Millsap only scored 17 points.

The last year’s champions Golden State Warriors won 110 – 99 against the visiting team of Portland and led 2 – 0 victories on aggregate in the semifinal series of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association.

The champions struggled very seriously, being behind by 28 – 45 after 16 minutes. They were also 11 points down (76 – 87) just before the last quarter. But the Golden State Warriors equalized 6:44 minutes before the final siren, then they scored 10 points in a row and proved they are better.

Despite the absence of Stephen Curry, who is injured, Klay Thompson showed he is in great shape and scored 27 points for The Warriors. Draymond Green finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 7 assists. Damian Lillard finished with 25 points for the visiting team, while CJ McCollum added 22.

In the last match Miami won dramatically by 102 – 96 against Toronto in the first game of the semifinal series in the East Conference. The regular time ended with a draw (90 – 90), after the visitors squandered an advance of 79 – 69 in the last 6:31 minutes of the game and let Kyle Lowry equalize for Canadians.

At the extra time, however, Miami made a great start, scoring eight straight points and that decided the match. Goran Dragic finished with 26 points and 6 rebounds for the visitors, while Dwyane Wade added 24 points and 6 rebounds. Jonas Valaciunas was Toronto’s leader and managed to score 24 points. DeMar DeRozan was also effective, scoring 22 points.