San Antonio, TX — The San Antonio Spurs clinched a spot in the Western Conference finals with a 139-109 Game 6 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, powered by a dominant performance from their guards.
Spurs Guards Lead the Way
Rookie Stephon Castle delivered 32 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, becoming only the fifth player in franchise history to post at least 30-10-5 in a series-clinching game. De’Aaron Fox added 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting, and Dylan Harper contributed 15. By the end of the third quarter, the trio had accounted for 58.2 percent of San Antonio’s scoring, hitting 23-for-30 from the floor and 9-for-12 from three while handing out 15 assists. They also made half of the team’s postseason-record 18 three-pointers.
“I think it could be anybody’s night on a given night,” Castle said afterward. Victor Wembanyama finished with 19 points, six rebounds and three blocks as opponents focused on limiting his touches near the rim.
“They were trying to take me away from the rim,” Wembanyama noted. “There’s no other way to fight that than with physicality. Stephon was amazing.”
Fox became the first Spur since Kawhi Leonard in 2017 to score at least 20 points while shooting 80 percent or better in a playoff game. “His temperament and disposition — when those guys have the right approach, their talent can take it to another level,” interim coach Mitch Johnson said of Castle.
San Antonio opens the conference finals Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Timberwolves Exit After Lopsided Loss
Minnesota’s starters combined to shoot 18-for-59, and the team suffered its third consecutive playoff elimination by 20 points or more. With about eight minutes remaining, Anthony Edwards walked to the Spurs bench to congratulate San Antonio’s players.
“They’re just the better team,” Edwards said. The All-Star guard was hampered by a knee issue that nearly sidelined him until mid-series, coach Chris Finch confirmed. Edwards also pointed to the absence of shooter Donte DiVincenzo, saying, “He spreads the floor like no other. In a series like this I’d love to have Donte in my slot and just let it fly.”
Minnesota heads into the offseason seeking answers. Asked if there is a common thread to the team’s postseason exits, Edwards replied, “Good question. No comment.”
Knicks Optimistic on OG Anunoby
In the East, the New York Knicks expect forward OG Anunoby back soon as he recovers from a hamstring strain that he said “didn’t feel as bad” as a similar injury two years ago. Anunoby has practiced fully and is “trending toward” playing when the Eastern Conference finals begin.
New York swept its second-round series and will benefit from additional rest while Cleveland and Detroit head to Game 7. Before the setback, Anunoby averaged 21.4 points on 61.9 percent shooting, including 53.8 percent from beyond the arc, while guarding top perimeter threats.
“He’s been back and he looks good to me,” teammate Mikal Bridges said. Coach Mike Brown added, “You need everybody healthy to a certain degree. Hopefully that’s going the right way.”
The Knicks await the Game 7 winner to determine their conference-final opponent.
Source: Hoops Wire
