The San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games, setting a date with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
The San Antonio Spurs beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 of their Western Conference Semifinals matchup, 139-109. With the win, the Spurs take the series and will meet the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Conference Finals.
The Spurs' win was so dominant that Anthony Edwards headed over to the Spurs' bench with eight minutes left, congratulating them on the win. Garbage time started early!
The Thunder are yet to lose in the postseason, sweeping both the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Spurs seem to have their number, going 4-1 against the best team in the NBA this season.
The Wolves, meanwhile, couldn't make it three Conference Finals appearances in a row. Assuming the Denver Nuggets take a step back, the Spurs, Thunder, and Wolves will be top dogs in the West for years to come, although for now, the Wolves are clearly lagging behind.
Versatile Spurs Topple Wolves
It took six games and a Victor Wembanyama ejection to get the Spurs going, but they managed to advance. In the series-clinching Game 6, the Spurs were led by Stephon Castle's 32 points, although it was a well-rounded effort.
Along with Castle's excellent showing, the backcourt as a whole was on fire. De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper added 21 and 15, respectively, and Wembanyama posted 19 points, six rebounds, and three blocks, for good measure. Six players finished in double digits for the Silver and Black.
The Wolves, meanwhile, were led by Anthony Edwards' 24 points, although the rest of the starting lineup only combined for 26 in support.
While Edwards couldn't will the Wolves over the hump, it's safe to say that he, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Brunson, Chet Holmgren, and Cooper Flagg will be the faces of USA basketball moving forward.
The title of "face of the league" should now firmly belong to Wembanyama, and a Conference Finals win against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would only seal the deal.
The Spurs have been Wembanyama's team ever since the ping pong balls went their way in 2023, but he is far from the only star on the team. With Fox an established All-Star, Castle on the rise, and Harper well ahead of schedule, the Spurs can beat any given team on the back of any given player, and the Thunder's postseason winning streak is expected to come to a screeching halt in the marquee matchup of the playoffs so far.