The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs square off Monday in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, marking one of the most anticipated series in recent memory. Both teams won more than 60 games and posted a .750 win percentage in the regular season — the third time since 1970 that two such teams have met in the conference finals, the first since 1981's Celtics-76ers matchup.

The Spurs went 4-1 against the Thunder in the regular season, including three wins in December. That head-to-head dominance has fueled a budding rivalry between two young rosters. The combined age weighted for playing time this postseason sits at just 25.5 years, the youngest in conference finals history since 1970. Oklahoma City carries an eight-game winning streak into the series, the fourth-longest start by a defending champion.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, fresh off his second MVP award, averages 29.1 points and 7.1 assists on 51.4% shooting this postseason. Victor Wembanyama, who finished third in MVP voting, contributes 20.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks per game. Game 1 will test whether regular-season history favors San Antonio or if Oklahoma City's playoff momentum carries through.