The San Antonio Spurs may have discovered an unexpected source of good fortune during their biggest game of the season.
Facing a must-win situation in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, San Antonio responded with an impressive 103-82 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night, evening the series at 2-2.
After the game, however, much of the conversation centered on four special guests sitting courtside rather than what happened on the court.
Courtside Blessing Becomes a Winning Tradition
For the first time this season, four members of the Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco attended a Spurs game together wearing San Antonio jerseys.
Before tipoff, the sisters appeared on the arena video board offering a pregame blessing to Spurs center Luke Kornet.
A few hours later, the Spurs delivered one of their most convincing performances of the postseason.
Naturally, Kornet was asked afterward whether the blessing might need to become a permanent part of the playoff routine.
His response quickly became one of the night’s most memorable moments.
“1-0, pretty good results. That’s not what it’s about, but we’ll take it. We’re gonna fly them to OKC. I don’t know, we got to get ’em on the plane.”
The joke immediately resonated with Spurs fans, many of whom embraced the idea that the Salesian Sisters had become the team’s newest lucky charm.
A Longstanding Connection With Spurs Basketball
The relationship between the Salesian Sisters and the Spurs goes back decades.
Members of the San Antonio chapter began following the team in the late 1990s while working with students at St. John Bosco School. Basketball became a valuable way to connect with young people and engage with the interests of the children they served.
One of the sisters, Sister Bernadette Mota, has spoken publicly about how basketball helps build relationships with students.
Over the years, the connection between the organization and the franchise has only grown stronger.
Following the Spurs’ 2007 NBA championship, legendary coach Gregg Popovich and several players even visited the sisters to celebrate the title together.
Why Kornet Holds a Special Place
Kornet’s connection to the Salesian Sisters goes beyond basketball.
A practicing Catholic, Kornet has been open about his faith throughout his professional career.
Sister Bernadette previously described Kornet as one of her favorite players because of his willingness to openly discuss his beliefs while competing at the highest level of the sport.
That shared connection made Sunday’s pregame blessing particularly meaningful.
And after the Spurs’ dominant Game 4 victory, many fans are already wondering whether the tradition should continue.
Can the Sisters Make the Trip to Oklahoma City?
With the series now tied, attention shifts to a pivotal Game 5 at Paycom Center.
Whether the Salesian Sisters actually travel with the Spurs remains to be seen, but Kornet’s comments have already created one of the most heartwarming storylines of the conference finals.
If they don’t make the trip to Oklahoma City, Spurs fans will almost certainly be hoping to see them back courtside for a potential Game 6 in San Antonio.
After all, the team is undefeated with the sisters in attendance.
And in the middle of a championship chase, every bit of good fortune matters.
