Spurs Dominate Timberwolves 139-109 To Clinch Series; Advance To WCF

The San Antonio Spurs made it clear Friday night they did not want a Game Seven in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Stephon Castle led the way with 32 points, and De'Aaron Fox added another 21 points, as the Spurs steamrolled the Minnesota Timberwolves 139-109 in Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals. That win clinches the series for San Antonio and advances them to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2017.

The Spurs wasted no time jumping on the Timberwolves, opening the ballgame on an 18-8 run in the first quarter, leading 36-27 at the end of the period.

Castle showed off the acrobatics as well in the first frame.

San Antonio then put their foot on the gas in the second quarter, opening the period on a 20-0 run to take a 56-27 lead with about seven minutes remaining before halftime.

That 20-0 run by the Spurs, their first such run since 2012, was spurred on by an aerial assault from Carter Bryant.

The Timberwolves would make a run to cut the Spurs lead down to 13 before the half, with San Antonio leading 74-61 at the break.

The third quarter would start in a familiar way for the Spurs, opening the half on a 7-2 run to push the lead back to 18 before a Minnesota timeout. The lead would eventually balloon to twenty midway through the period.

Star forward Victor Wembanyama, who scored 19 points and netted 3 blocks, did his usual bit of rim protecting.

Another 16-5 Spurs run pushed the lead to 28 points, with San Antonio leading 110-84 at the end of the third quarter. The Spurs outscored Minnesota 36-23 in the period.

Good three-point shooting was the key for the Spurs in Game Six, going 18-for-38 from long range, shooting 56-percent from the floor overall. Castle, who scored 11 of his 32 points in the third alone, hit five of the 18 San Antonio three balls.

San Antonio did not let off the gas in the final period. The lead would expand to a 30-point advantage for the Spurs with nine minutes remaining in the game. It would stay that way for the remainder, growing to as much as 35, as the Spurs subbed out all their starters with seven minutes remaining in the game.

The Spurs never trailed in the game. Julian Champagnie tallied 18 points on the night, with Dylan Harper adding another 15 off the bench.

Minnesota was led once again by Anthony Edwards 24 points, while Naz Reid added another 16 points for the Timberwolves.

The win advances the Spurs to the Western Conference Finals, where they will take on the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.

Game One of the Western Conference Finals is set for Monday night in Oklahoma City.