San Antonio dispatched Minnesota on Friday night with a 139-109 victory that left no room for doubt about the Spurs' playoff credentials. The dominant performance sent the young franchise to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2017, with a six-game second-round defeat of the Timberwolves.
Victor Wembanyama took heat after his Game 4 ejection for an elbow that struck Naz Reid's face, a moment that risked defining his first postseason run. In Game 6, he responded with restraint and purpose, posting 19 points, six rebounds, and three assists in 27 minutes. His presence in the paint forced constant adjustment from Minnesota's offensive sets, while his transition game kept the Spurs moving when they broke the other way.
"I had to make a statement coming back," Wembanyama said after the game. "I knew there was going to be a certain narrative, but I felt like if I gave in to the physicality and the dirtiness, that would have helped them, and I knew I couldn't go over the edge again, so I had to beat them by playing basketball."
Stephon Castle was the offensive catalyst, scoring 32 points and pulling down 11 rebounds from the backcourt. DeAaron Fox added 21 points and nine assists, while reserve Dylan Harper contributed 15 off the bench. San Antonio's three-point barrage proved decisive, setting a franchise postseason record with 18 makes on 38 attempts.
The Timberwolves fought through Anthony Edwards' 24 points and strong bench contributions from Terrence Shannon (21 points) and Naz Reid (18 points), but the Spurs' switching defense and depth proved overwhelming. Edwards acknowledged the gap after the loss, offering simple clarity on the outcome.
"I just tip my hat to them," Edwards said. "They were just the better team."
Minnesota's elimination marks the third consecutive season-ending blowout for the franchise. Last year, Oklahoma City routed the Timberwolves by 30 points in Game 5 of the conference finals after leading by 33 at halftime. In 2024, Dallas topped Minnesota by 21 in Game 5 of the Western Conference finals, with the Wolves down 29 at intermission. This series tilted even further in one direction: San Antonio outscored Minnesota by 97 points across the six-game set.
The Spurs now await defending champion Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the conference finals on Monday night. The Thunder swept their first two series, bringing an unbeaten record into the matchup.
In the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons forced a Game 7 against Cleveland with a 115-94 victory at home. The top-seeded Pistons, who rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the first round against Orlando, showed their resilience again with a dominant second-half display. Cade Cunningham led the charge with 21 points, while Jalen Duren registered 15 points and 11 rebounds. The deciding game takes place Sunday in Detroit.
Author James Rodriguez: "Wembanyama showed real maturity bouncing back from that ejection, and these Spurs look genuinely built for a run."
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