Spurs advance to Western Conference finals after defeating Timberwolves 139-109
Stephon Castle’s 32 points lead Spurs to decisive victory, while Victor Wembanyama provides defensive anchor in rout
The San Antonio Spurs have secured their place in the Western Conference finals following a comprehensive 139-109 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6. The win concludes the series 4-2, setting up a matchup against the defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, with the opening game scheduled for Monday night.
Stephon Castle was instrumental in the Spurs' offensive execution, scoring 32 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Castle shot 11-for-16 from the field and converted his first five 3-point attempts. De'Aaron Fox contributed 21 points and nine assists, while rookie Dylan Harper added 15 points off the bench. Julian Champagnie also provided significant scoring support with 18 points, including four 3-pointers.
Victor Wembanyama recorded 19 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in 27 minutes of play. Although he was closely guarded by the Timberwolves, Wembanyama served as a constant defensive deterrent in the paint and effectively facilitated transition opportunities. His performance followed a strong showing in Game 5, where he posted 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks after a controversial ejection in Game 4.
The Spurs' defensive strategy, characterised by a switch-heavy approach, significantly disrupted the Timberwolves' offensive flow. Anthony Edwards scored 24 points on 9-for-26 shooting, while reserves Terrence Shannon Jr. and Naz Reid contributed 21 and 18 points respectively. Julius Randle struggled considerably, scoring only three points on 1-for-8 shooting.
Over the course of the six-game series, the Spurs outscored the Timberwolves by 97 points and never trailed by double digits. This result mirrors historical patterns for Minnesota, who have previously faced large deficits in elimination games, including a 33-point halftime deficit against Oklahoma City in last year's Western Conference finals and a 29-point deficit against Dallas in 2024.
The upcoming Western Conference finals will see the Spurs face the Thunder, who have swept their first two playoff series to reach this stage. Thunder wing Jalen Williams has declared himself fit for the finals after a six-game absence due to a hamstring strain, potentially strengthening Oklahoma City's lineup for the series opener.
